The Industrial Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #551 and the Laborer’s Union Local #139 have endorsed Third District Supervisorial candidate Bryan Plumley.

Local union representatives David Borgeson and Jack Birdwell have confirmed their respective unions’ support for Plumley, according to a news release.

“I am very excited about receiving the support of local unions because it reflects the kind of emphasis I want to bring to the Board of Supervisors. We need a realistic approach to economic development that focuses on our strengths and the opportunity to turn our environmental leadership into good-paying jobs,” Plumley stated in the release.

“It is not enough to simply protect our local businesses and hope they will grow. We need to challenge them to become industry leaders and remove the unnecessary barriers so that they can be competitive,” Plumley said.

“We need to invest in a well-trained, flexible workforce and state-of-the-art infrastructure including alternative fiber and an energy network that is less reliant on skyrocketing fossil fuel prices.”

“By focusing on economic development opportunities that are consistent with our environmental values, we can maintain our unique character and allow our children to have good options for employment when they enter the workforce,” Plumley stated.

“We are closing down schools, laying off teachers and struggling to keep the diversity of medical care necessary for a geographically isolated community. We must act now to turn this cycle around.”

Plumley has a background in sustainable community development and 10 years of experience as a financial adviser in Arcata.

Plumley served as president of Arcata Main Street for two years, was a member of the Arcata Economic Development Committee during the update of the city’s Economic Development Master Plan, and currently serves as a member of the Arcata Economic Development Corporation Loan Committee and the county’s Workforce Investment Board.

“Plumley supporters feel that this experience will be invaluable when it comes time to make the important decisions about how the county can best utilize our unique character, location, and values to develop a strong, healthy local economy,” the release stated.