Name: Al Nunes

Age: Not stated

Occupation: Business owner

What is the best long-term strategy to revitalize Jackson's economy?

The things we are doing right now: We are putting in place a revitalization committee, which should help to start long-term planning. It may also have access to financial help. It is composed of merchants, professionals, city council men and women, a county supervisor and our city manager. Our general plan is being updated and may be completed in the next six months or sooner and may also help.

What do you see as the greatest threat to Jackson's character and quality of life?

Complacency.

What's the best decision the Jackson City Council made in 2007-08? What's the worst?

I believe all its decisions were great, but the revitalization committee and/or its board probably has the top spot.

Home Depot has suspended its application to build near the Argonaut and Kennedy mines in Jackson. When the company's application was submitted, critics called the plan the ultimate assault on Jackson's character and scenic beauty. Proponents of the plan claimed it would bring in needed jobs and tax dollars. Did you support Home Depot's original proposal to build near the Argonaut and Kennedy mines?

Because I live right next to the Home Depot site, our city attorney instructed me to not influence the Home Depot application pro or con because not only can I not vote, as a council member, I am "predjudiced" on the matter.

Main Street merchants in Jackson now claim, almost universally, that the board of supervisors' decision to move the county courthouse away from Main Street had a devastating impact on their businesses. What can the Jackson City Council do in the future to work more cohesively with the board of supervisors in order to ensure the survival of Main Street Jackson?

The Jackson City Council and the board of supervisors are now planning together and working together better than we ever did in the past. The cities are beginning to talk about sharing revenues with the county from vehicle sales so there wouldn't be competition over having the dealerships. Sacramento County and Sacramento City are planning this now. If it works for us, the county and cities could benefit.

There should also be long-term planning for utilities such as water, sewer and especially local roads and regional roads such as Highway 49 and Highway 88. I could go on as all of these things affect the well-being of our city and the downtown district. The main thing is we have to keep a concentrated effort to revitalize all of Jackson.