Note: Mike Regan actively services on the Solano EDC's Executive Committe and Board of Directors representing the County of Solano.
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005 - 12:01:36 am PST
Reagan settles in to new job
By Matthew Bunk
FAIRFIELD - The way Mike Reagan sees it, running government is much like flying an old, heavy plane: You have to push the throttle on policy long before you expect to see results. Waiting until the last minute can mean it's too late.Reagan learned a lot as an Air Force officer that, he believes, can be applied to his new position as county supervisor.For instance, one of the first lessons pilots learn in flight school has to do with slow throttle response, a phenomenon mostly noticeable with heavy or old aircraft. It means pilots must foresee danger and take early action to avoid it."You need to make your move ahead of the jet," he said. "It's the way I've been trained to think."In his first three months in local government, Reagan focused on looking ahead - way ahead - because he knows results usually come slowly after a top-level government decision.
"All of my mentors said you need to plan for the needs of the population you're serving, and to plan for the long range," he said in a recent interview. "I'm trying to get beyond what we think we'll need next quarter and next year. I believe it's critical to get out decades ahead to see what's really important."That kind of thinking has become a Reagan trademark. In fact, he brought it up so much in his short time on the board, he fears his colleagues might soon tire of hearing it. That, however, doesn't appear to have stopped Reagan from pounding out his message.Reagan insisted recently that long-range planning should be included on a list of county priorities. And indeed it was, just below public safety, growth issues, transportation planning and improving the lives of children."It's a new thing I've brought on board," he said.
Uniquely suited
Reagan, a retired lieutenant colonel from Travis Air Force Base and former aide to Rep. Doug Ose and state Sen. Maurice Johannesson, seems uniquely suited to take on complex policy issues and push an agenda through the muck of analytical debate.He knows how to make the county's voice more audible to higher government because he knows what state and federal representatives are listening for, according to his colleagues on the board.
"Mike, having served at the state and federal levels, brings an interesting perspective to the board, which I value" Supervisor John Vasquez said.
Reagan's vast political experience and military-style determination show in his approach to making county decisions. With comparably little experience in local government, however, he speaks from the supervisor dais with authority on what he knows and with hesitance on issues of county procedure."While I'm well-grounded in larger policy issues, I've got a steep learning curve when it comes to internal county processes," he admitted. "I don't think I understood the volume of meetings and reading material that comes with this position."All of a sudden, you look up and you're going to three board meetings a day," he said.Reagan isn't afraid, in any case, to speak up and ask questions. He does so frankly, an oddity for a government official at any level and a blue-collar talent that sometimes makes him stand out among his peers.
"Mike is more outgoing than some of us," Supervisor Duane Kromm said. "Some people are like that, they do a lot of their thinking out loud. It's just his style."Vasquez, likewise, gives Reagan an 'A' for enthusiasm.""He came to the board with a lot of ideas," Vasquez said.
Despite all appearances, Reagan said he's tried to keep a lid on as much as possible."This is me being quiet," he said with a laugh. "I've been trying to pipe down for the past couple of months."
Fitting in
Reagan's attempt to ease into a leadership role makes good sense when one considers the personalities and political leanings of his colleagues. He is conservative, both fiscally and socially, which sometimes puts him poles apart from supervisors Barbara Kondylis and Kromm, both more liberal on some issues. In one area of clashing views, Reagan wants to improve the road system and to secure water and other resources that businesses and individuals will need 50 years from now. Others on the board favor preservation of open space and farm land over industrial development and hesitate to put local money behind infrastructure improvements. But, political differences or not, Solano County's five supervisors don't really fight too much, at least not publicly. Sure, they disagree on a number of issues and debate them passionately. But grudges, if there are any, don't surface at weekly meetings."We don't go after each other personally," Kromm said. "Sometimes in other jurisdictions the water can get so poisoned that people can't agree on anything, and you don't see that on this board."
Next month, the board will sit down for a round of strategy sessions to discuss how to achieve its goals for the year. Budget issues will come up at those meetings, and will again later in the year when the supervisors must agree on spending limits and on which programs to support. If a fight is brewing over money, it won't be too difficult to figure out where Reagan stands. For him, it's all about slow throttle response."We need to figure out where the gaps are going to be 50 years from now," he said, "and then to focus our energy to address those needs as soon as possible."
Reach Matthew Bunk at 425-4646 Ext. 267 or
mbunk@dailyrepublic.net.
BIO BOX
Michael J. Reagan, District 5 Solano County SupervisorRepresents: Eastern Solano County, including Dixon, Rio Vista, Elmira and the eastern portions of Suisun City and Vacaville.
Salary: $76,200
Age: 56
Born: Courtland, N.Y.
Home: Vacaville
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from Niagara University in New York
Family: wife, Joanie, and two daughters, Shannon, 16, and Casey, 13
Career Highlights:Three decades in U.S. Air Force (retired as Lt. Col. 1999) Former chief of staff at Travis AFB Former senior advisor to former State Senator Maurice JohannessenFormer aide to Congressman Doug Ose
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