Fireworks, development key election issues in Mendocino and Lake counties

<p>Tuesday is election day, but issues are scarce in the North Bay with just a handful of questions before voters in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties.</p><p>The most heated issue is in Mendocino County with a vote on Measure A - an issue that has galvanized opposing sides and has become an experiment in local government.</p><p>Developers of a would-be mega shopping center, frustrated with political resistance to their plans, are asking voters to let them circumvent county planning regulations and move ahead with homes, restaurants and many large and small stores.</p><p>The proposed 800,000-square-foot center would be at the former Masonite wood-products plant just north of Ukiah. A “yes” vote on the measure would force the county to accept the developers' building plan, which still is being formulated, developers have acknowledged.</p><p>Proponents say the center would give the county an economic boost and provide jobs.</p><p>Opponents say the project could be a big-box shopping center that offers low-paying jobs. They've favored an industrial-based business at the site with better-paying jobs.</p><p>Opponents also say without following the planning process the county loses control over what's built and what goes into the center.</p><p>In Lake County, the biggest issue is Measure C, which involves fireworks sales.</p><p>Voters in Lakeport will decide whether to reinstitute sales, which were used as fundraisers for local non-profit groups. City officials banned sales last June citing the risk of fire.</p><p>But representatives of four youth groups, which had made money each year on the sales, organized a ballot measure hoping for a reversal.</p><p>Tuesday's Lake County ballot also includes four school board of directors elections.</p><p>While most Sonoma County voters have no issues to decide there are six areas in the county with elections.</p><p>Voters in Camp Meeker and Monte Rio will decide on members for their recreation and park district boards.</p><p>Four other Sonoma County areas with elections share issues with residents of neighboring counties.</p><p>The Mendocino County Board of Education has two seats available, tapping voters in northern Sonoma County.</p><p>A similar situation will occur in Point Arena, where school district voters from Mendocino and Sonoma counties have the chance to vote for four board members.</p><p>And in west Marin County, Shoreline Unified School District is asking voters to approve Measure D, a $9.3 million capital bond to refinance campus improvement loan and pay for repairs and upgrades at district schools.</p><p>That coastal school district includes voters in southwest Sonoma County.</p>