On May 20, the Ledger Dispatch e-mailed each candidate for Amador County supervisor a list of six questions. They were asked to choose five.:

Name: Rosalie Pryor Escamilla

Age: 57

City: Jackson

Profession: Jackson mayor

Running for: District 1 supervisor

Q: According to school district records, the county sent 53 percent of its students to public California universities or community colleges in 2006-07. What other educational options need to be pursued and will the county ever have a community college?

A: I've participated in the Business-Schools Alliance. The focus is to develop vocational-technical opportunities for our youth. Through partnerships with local law enforcement, educational tracks have been established to help prepare students for related careers. The program combines presentations by working professionals, curriculum guidance by teaching staff, and internships with local businesses or public agencies. We need to provide careers in trades and public service, as well as encourage higher education.

Some hardworking volunteers are collaborating with other college districts to bring a community college to Amador. If elected, I would recommend a more formal representation from the Board of Supervisors in this effort.

Q: According to 2005 statistics from the California Employment Development Department, 75 percent of the county's job opportunities paid below the self-sufficiency wage for a single parent with two children, while 41 percent paid below that level for adults in a two-parent household. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 9.2 percent of the county's population was living in poverty in 2003. Is Amador doing enough on the economic development front? If so, cite examples. If not, what would you do to bring in better-paying jobs?

A: Both the public and private sectors need to expend more for economic development. The Amador Business Council (currently organizing) to tackle big problems of the community is an organization that has been successful in other counties, promoting and attracting new businesses, helping to solve regional problems, and managing economic development in partnership with government. Some of Amador's business leaders have already signed on to the business council and I'm hopeful that we'll achieve some fresh synergy to help with the issues that plague us.

Q: According to U.S. Census data, Amador County ranked 18th in population growth among California counties between 2000 and 2003, with most of that growth in the unincorporated upcountry area. What should be done to make sure infrastructure (schools, roads, public protection, wastewater capacity) keeps up? What part, if any, should regional planning or revenue sharing play?

A: It's not surprising that Amador would rank in the top third or so of California counties for growth. As Bay Area businesses expanded into the Sacramento and Stockton areas, it became more reasonable for the workforce to commute from places like Amador. Couple that with baby boomer retirements and the increase in telecommuting, and you get an influx of people to the rural areas. The best thing we can do for our aging infrastructure is adopt policies that update our impact fees to reasonable levels and impose those fees, plus what is called "fair share" fees for new development. As we have seen recently, fees on new homes can be viewed as potentially negative to our local workforce. The county is experimenting with fee waivers in order to stimulate the building industry. I support this good faith measure, although I am somewhat dubious as to the benefit that will be realized.

Q: A Capital Region Healthy Futures Project study projects that the 55 and older group will make up 40 percent of the county's population in 2020, up from more than one-third in 2005. Is Amador becoming a bedroom community for retirees and can it survive as one?

A: We need to engage our seniors as active, involved partners in creating a healthy community. It is difficult to manage a lifestyle and budget on a fixed income, and a community made up entirely of seniors will not be able to provide the necessary services and public safety for long. We all have to work together to provide decent job opportunities, affordable housing for families, and relevant education to encourage our local young people to remain here.

I'd encourage all residents to do some soul searching when faced with ballot measures to support fire protection or improve roads and schools. When someone shows up at your door, decrying the evil of all new development because traffic will be increased, consider the potential contribution to new wastewater treatment facilities, water distribution systems, police and fire protection, and public parks. Some development may be a good thing.

Q: According to a Capital Region Healthy Futures Project survey of seventh-, ninth- and 11th-graders, the county far outpaces the state when it comes to students experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Do you think these numbers are accurate? If so, what should be done about this?

A: I support all efforts to help our kids learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. I'm a big believer in recreational opportunities as one means of helping youth learn to make good choices. We have current opportunities to pull together on the development of a regional park in Jackson. Parents and grandparents are a big part of the youth athletics scene in Amador. Supporting our Amador County Recreation Agency is one of the best things we can do to offset the drug challenges. ACRA has taken on the Cal-Oms grant administration in order to run very effective after-school programs that are helping to keep some of our "at risk" kids busy during those critical hours from 3 to 6 p.m.

Check back tomorrow for a Q&A with District 4 candidate Louis Boitano.