Taking The Fifth: Hammer Gets Early Key Endorsement From County Women's Group

Eric Hammer, the Brookdale businessman and member of the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District Board, won a major endorsement in his quest for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors when the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County voted Saturday to back him, over three other candidates, for the 5th District seat. The group also threw their support behind incumbent John Leopold in District 1 and Zach Friend in District 2.

Hammer won the endorsement over George Wylie, Bill Smallman and John Abel who all spoke at the groups meeting, Saturday. The other candidates for the predominantly SLV district, Sue Weber of Ben Lomond and Bruce McPherson, Santa Cruz, did not seek the Club’s endorsement.

Calling himself “solutions oriented” Hammer cited his ability to bring diverse groups together, to not only discuss issues but to take action and create results. He pointed to the turn around of the BCPRD from dysfunctional to award winning. “I may be not the smartest guy in the room but I know how to get the smartest guys to the table and then help them reach consensus and get things done.” he said.

George Wylie, a retired military and commercial pilot who serves on the school board for the SLVUSD, asked the group to keep an open mind and vote for him. Wylie offered that he would be the best candidate to stand up to McPherson, "the elephant in the room" who, he warned, was a grave threat to the County. He also spoke about his activites in the pilots union and promised to bring his union credentials to the BOS.

BIll Smallman, the Lompico Water District Board member and civil engineer spoke of his experience with public infrastructure projects as well as his environmental activism. He wants to create a county economic development board and to improve infrastructure in ways that decreases the impact on the environment.

John Abel of Boulder Creek indicated that he was dropping out of the race but wanted everyone to know that he intends to take a more active role in the community.