By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. May 6, 2026<\/p>\n
A crowded public forum in Lotus brought sharp contrasts into focus for voters in El Dorado County\u2019s District 4 supervisor race, as three candidates laid out competing visions for how the region should grow\u2014or resist growth\u2014amid mounting pressure from housing shortages, tourism shifts, and state policy demands.<\/p>\n
The discussion, hosted by the League of Women Voters and held at Goodwin Hall TV, featured Gina Posey, Robert \u201cBob\u201d Deitz, and Greg Clark. Over the course of the evening, the candidates addressed public participation in government, short-term vacation rentals, economic development, youth retention, infrastructure, and the county\u2019s long-term identity.<\/p>\n
District 4 spans the western slope communities including the Divide, Coloma-Lotus, Georgetown, and portions of the Highway 50 corridor\u2014areas where rural character, recreation economies, and development pressures increasingly collide.<\/p>\n
A recurring point of tension centered on how residents interact with county government.<\/p>\n
Posey criticized recent procedural changes that limit public comment during Board of Supervisors meetings to a single general comment period at the start of meetings, rather than allowing input on individual agenda items.<\/p>\n
She argued the change reduces meaningful participation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe, the public, should be the most important people in that room,\u201d Posey said, adding that residents are often unable to respond to agenda items after hearing discussion.<\/p>\n
Deitz also emphasized accessibility, arguing that supervisors must be physically present and responsive.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal is to be that neighbor that has a plan,\u201d Deitz said. \u201cI will show up. I will work hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clark, who currently serves on the Gold Trail Union School District board, focused on governance experience and coalition-building.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t come in and be a bomb-thrower,\u201d Clark said. \u201cYou have to know how to work with people and get votes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Economic development and housing affordability emerged as central issues across all three candidates, though their approaches differed.<\/p>\n
Deitz warned that restrictive permitting and regulatory barriers are pushing businesses and jobs to neighboring counties.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s hard, it\u2019s easy to go to Placer or Sacramento County,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clark emphasized workforce development and local job pathways tied to schools and internships, arguing that retaining young families requires aligning education with employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
Posey pointed to housing availability and economic opportunity as key drivers of population loss among young residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to keep our kids here? You\u2019ve got to have jobs for them,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are an aging population, and it\u2019s a very big problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deitz noted personal experience with family members relocating to Reno for lower housing costs and stronger job markets, calling it a trend the county must address.<\/p>\n
Vacation home rentals (VHRs) and tourism revenue were another focal point.<\/p>\n
Deitz cited a decline in transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue and argued the county is failing to capitalize on tourism potential.<\/p>\n
He described lodging losses as a broader economic warning sign.<\/p>\n
Posey focused on expanding tourism infrastructure while maintaining rural character, emphasizing recreation assets such as Apple Hill, the Rubicon Trail, and the South Fork American River corridor.<\/p>\n
Clark warned that short-term rentals can strain housing availability while also supporting tourism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can be a blessing and they can be a curse,\u201d Clark said, noting impacts on rentals for seniors and first-time homebuyers.<\/p>\n
All three candidates acknowledged a shared concern: younger residents are leaving the county.<\/p>\n
Posey said high housing costs and insufficient benefits in public employment are contributing factors.<\/p>\n
Clark, a lifelong resident, said he personally left to pursue education and career opportunities before returning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere just weren\u2019t a lot of jobs here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Deitz argued that economic expansion is necessary to keep families rooted in the region, pointing to construction and infrastructure jobs as examples of local opportunity.<\/p>\n
He also emphasized long-standing community involvement, including youth sports, scouting, and public service.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you go to a school, a park, or an event in this county, I\u2019ve probably been involved,\u201d Deitz said.<\/p>\n
The candidates broadly supported expansion of outdoor recreation infrastructure, including a proposed Lotus-to-Highway 49 bike and pedestrian path project.<\/p>\n
Clark called it a valuable public investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would support it as a supervisor,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Posey supported the project as both a safety and tourism improvement.<\/p>\n
Deitz, a longtime mountain biking coach, suggested additional roadway improvements to better accommodate cyclists and reduce conflict with vehicle traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can make smart planning decisions to open outdoor areas to more people safely,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In closing remarks, each candidate framed the election as a defining choice for the county\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Posey urged voters to preserve rural identity and resist suburban-style development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want people to come here, experience it, and leave with something they never forget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Clark emphasized experience in governance and collaboration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand what it means to live here, work here, and raise a family here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Deitz focused on accessibility and responsiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not hard to find,\u201d he said. \u201cI will work for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The District 4 supervisor race comes at a time when El Dorado County continues to balance tourism-driven revenue with housing shortages, infrastructure constraints, and state-level housing mandates.<\/p>\n
The Board of Supervisors plays a central role in land use, development approvals, public safety funding, and economic policy across the county.<\/p>\n
A recording of the forum is expected to be made available through League of Women Voters channels ahead of the June election cycle.<\/p>\n