Tehachapi News

Perez announces bid for county supervisor

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Golden Hills resident and former Kern County Sheriff's deputy Steve Perez has emerged from eight years as a private businessman to run for a third term as county supervisor.

On Aug. 20, Perez, 56, officially announced his bid to run for the 2nd District seat now held by Don Maben, who is not running for re-election.

Perez was elected to two four-year terms as county supervisor, in 1994 and 1982.
Also in contention for the 2nd District seat is Mary Beth Garrison, Maben's special projects coordinator and also a resident of Golden Hills, who announced her candidacy in January.

The election is June 1, 2010.

Eight years as a supervisor and subsequent years as a business owner and manager, Perez said, “gives a person a unique, well-rounded set of experiences.”

After being a position of policy-maker, he said, “It was an eye-opening experience in the private sector.”

At one time, he said, as an executive of the California State Association of Counties, he was responsible for the legislative agenda for all 58 California counties.

“I've been around the block,” Perez said. “I know how government works on the local, state and federal levels as well as being a business owner and operator.”

A journeyman electrician and member of the California Narcotic Officers Association, Perez served 26 years as a reserve and regular deputy sheriff in the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Perez said a high priority for him is the economic development of the 2nd District, which encompasses most of southeastern Kern County, from Bakersfield to Boron.

He formed the East Kern Alliance to draw in communities that, he said, often feel “left out,” and to create an environment that attracts business to the region.

The purpose of the alliance, he said, “Is to bring ourselves together as a region and to bring a focus to East Kern to address our economic challenges.”

Perez is projects manager of Bakersfield-based WZI, Inc., an environmental engineering consulting firm and since 2006 has been the planning director of the city of McFarland.

He is vice president of operations of San Joaquin Renewables, a firm dedicated to finding ways to make the valley's air cleaner.

President and CEO of Steve A. Perez & Associates and senior vice president founding partner of Open Doors Consulting, LLC, he has serves on numerous commissions and committees.

He and his wife Becky have been married for 36 years and have two children and five grandchildren. He's a NASCAR fan and avid golfer, fisherman and hunter.

As his campaign gets rolling, Perez is meeting with people to find out what their concerns are - “what they don't like and what they expect.”

He has learned, he said, “They want consistency. They want somebody to listen to them.”

Posted Aug. 31, 2009; print edition Vol. 110, No. 21, publication date Sept. 2, 2009