Election 2012
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Retired fire chief Veerkamp headed to El Dorado County Board of Supervisors

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 - 10:46 pm
Last Modified: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 - 3:34 am

Brian Keith Veerkamp, a retired fire chief, claimed the runoff contest for District 3 of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.

With all precincts reporting, results in District 3 showed Veerkamp received 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for candidate Richard Barb.

"Our thoughts are good," said Veerkamp on Tuesday night. "It's what we anticipated all along. We definitely had a broad-based campaign."

Barb had said during the campaign that he was eager to eliminate county policies and rules that impede business.

"We're going to review where we are," he said while campaigning. "El Dorado County is one of the least friendly counties in the state for business."

The economy and local business climate dominated the campaigns for the seat being vacated by Supervisor Jack Sweeney, who is nearing the end of the board's two-term limit.

Veerkamp, a fifth-generation resident with years of public and community service, touted his knowledge of local government and his links to community groups.

"One of my goals is to work with other supervisors to build a strong governance team," Veerkamp said during the campaign.

He spent an early part of his career in the private sector on construction and other jobs. He also devoted 30 years to fire protection service, starting as a volunteer firefighter and later becoming chief of the El Dorado Hills Fire Department.

He served long-term on the board of the Camino Union School District.

Veerkamp promised to refuse salary and benefits for the post.

Barb, a 17-year county resident, described himself as dedicated to public service. He vowed to eliminate county policies and rules that impede business.

"El Dorado County is one of the least friendly counties in the state for business," Barb said in the campaign, vowing that that would change.

He spent his career in small business in the private sector.

Barb spent years as a leader in 4-H and volunteering at a local senior care facility.

For the last six years, he served on the senior staff of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 85.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more articles by Loretta Kalb



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