Steve DeBrum is driven primarily by one basic concern in his bid to gain election to the San Joaquín County Board of Supervisors.
“It is all about making a better life for everyone,” DeBrum said Wednesday.
It’s a concern drummed into him as a second generation American whose grandfather came to California from the Azores in a bid to build a better life for his family.
It is what guided DeBrum through 11 years serving as a Manteca City councilman, four years as mayor, as well as a lifetime of community serving through organizations that run the gamut from the Second Harvest Food Bank and Give Every Child a Chance to the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency.
DeBrum is seeking election in March in 2024 for the District 3 seat on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
The district encompasses Manteca, Lathrop, northwestern Stockton, and the Delta region of the county. The only other declared candidate is Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal.
DeBrum believes San Joaquin County is only as strong as its weakest link.
That is why he said he’s committed to raising the wellbeing of not just those in his district — Manteca, Lathrop, and parts of Stockton — but the entire county.
Water tops his list
Water — its wise use, protection of local rights, and flood protection — tops his list.
DeBrum notes it’s not just an urban issue, a farm issue, or an environmental issue.
It is all intertwined.
Even more so in San Joaquin County where the bulk of the Delta lies where two thirds of the water used in California passes through.
It’s not just that there is no food without water.
“There’s no life and no prosperity,” DeBrum said.
The Manteca resident believes his background not only will serve him well in addressing water issues on behalf of all of the county’s nearly 800,000 residents but also to strike a balance between protecting agriculture, growing prosperity, and protecting the environment.
The former dairy farmer knows the first hand struggle of adequate water and dropping water tables. In Hanford where he was farming before moving to Manteca in 1984, a water well caved in. It forced the need to drill a new and even deeper well due to dropping water tables.
He also understands the need to develop better paying jobs on this side of the Altamont Pass so people can raise their families as they work toward building a better life.
The former agriculture leader, who worked with dairy operations from Merced north to Humboldt County and western Nevada, helped usher in an economic boom for Manteca during his 15 years as a council member and mayor.
Although he is quick to point out was only one of five elected officials, DeBrum took the lead in Manteca’s dogged pursuit of an indoor waterpark resort.
The 500-room Great Wolf Lodge, at the end of 30 years, based on current revenue trends, will net the City of Manteca $99 million. It effectively means what out-of-town guests pay in room taxes will help underwrite day-to-day municipal services for Manteca residents.
That 15-year span on the council secured Costco, Bass Pro Shops and the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, a fire station, a new animal shelter, a new municipal; vehicle maintenance facility, renovated the HOPE Family Shelter, broke ground on California’s first diverging diamond interchange, built the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, retained BF Funstein Flooring and lured new employers such as 5.11 Tactical, Medline, and Penske Logistics’ distribution center for Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers.
It also saw DeBrum lead the charge to cobble together regional support to get improvements to the Highway 99/120 Bypass interchange and work toward securing funding.
The first phase of the project breaking ground later this year wasn’t on the state’s radar until 2035.
He also served as chair of the redistricting committee for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors that made both Lathrop and Manteca whole. In the case of Manteca, it is the first time in nearly 50 years that the city isn’t divided between two supervisorial districts.
DeBrum credits the first decision of consequence he had to make with setting him on his current path.
He was a teen working on the family dairy 13 miles outside of Hanford. He wanted to play football.
His dad said he had two choices — he could either play football or join the Future Farmers of America chapter.
DeBrum thought about it. And as much as he wanted to play football, that was basically a three-month endeavor whereas the FFA was a place where he could year-round learn all sorts of skills from interacting with people, public speaking, developing strategies to solve problems, as well as learn the ins and outs of agriculture to lay the foundation of a career.
Not only did he become a state farmer and a state FFA officer as well as become one of the 2 percent of FFA members that attain American Famer status, but he also served as chapter president.
That year he was chapter president, the FFA chapter sweetheart happened to be his future wife, Veronica. The two have now be married for more than 50 years.
After high school, he graduated from San Luis Obispo Polytechnical College. He went to work for Foremost in the plant. Soon he advanced into the lab and then became a field manager. In a few years he was managing partner in a dairy operation that eventually led to his role in working with dairy farmers throughout Northern California and western Nevada as well as buyers and processors.
DeBrum’ s public service
isn’t one dimensional
DeBrum served on a variety of government commissions while in elected office including the San Joaquin Council of Governments
He continues to do so today as an advisory member for SJCOG as well as the regional flood agency.
His service isn’t one dimensional. He is currently helping organize golf tournaments to benefit the Manteca-Lathrop Boys & Girls Club and the Knights’ of Columbus.
DeBrum is currently the president of the Second Harvest Food bank, serves on the GECAC board that oversees free tutoring services for more than 2,500 children, and is a member of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club and has served as that organization’s Manteca Pumpkin Fair chair several times.
He is also past president of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce,.
DeBrum’s list of objectives to “make a better life” for every one in San Joaquin County includes:
*Making sure the sheriff’s department has the resources and manpower to effectively protect residents.
*Work to bring more jobs by taking advantage of the county’s unique location and transportation infrastructure that includes a seaport, an airport capable of handling large jets, two railroads, and its access to California markets via Highway 99, Interstate 5, and Interstate 205.
*Make sure the road and transit infrastructure is in place to ease the commute and to grow the economy through the effective movement of people and goods.
*Developing water sources, protecting groundwater, and putting in place flood protection.
*Work with the community and the appropriate agencies to increase local educational opportunities for the young as well as adults.
"San Joaquin County is finally on the right track,” DeBrum said. “We can't afford to go backward. I'll fight to keep neighborhoods safe, build our economy to create more better-paying jobs, and reduce the impact homeless camps have on our communities."
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
