The Tribune Questions and Answers published in the newspaper

By Shane Kramer

Shane Kramer supports efforts to create in San Luis Obispo an economy that permits working families to both work and live in the city of San Luis Obispo. Further, Shane Kramer believes that the driving force behind violent behavior such as experienced during Mardi Gras week 2004 is the abuse of alcohol which is not being addressed by the leadership for the City of San Luis Obispo.

Considering the history of the project over the past ten years and more, the prior decisions made by both the county and the city, and the documentation presented to the City Council, I would have voted to approve the Marketplace project. Nevertheless, I do not agree with all aspects of the project as approved. For example, the Marketplace project does not include any workforce housing for the 1,600 employees that will work in the businesses that will locate at the Marketplace. Housing should be included as part of the project.

2. What should the city do about Mardi Gras?

The city's role is to protect the public from crime not to ban Mardi Gras. At the heart of the problem is abuse of alcohol which is an every day problem. Abuse of alcohol by young people in our community is a dire problem that is not being addressed in the city's plans to deal with Mardi Gras. Until we deal effectively with the alcohol abuse problem, all major events that attract our young people will have the potential to turn violent and out of control whether it be Mardi Gras, Poly Royal, La Fiesta, or others.

3. What decision of the board have you most strongly disagreed with? Why?

The recently adopted nudity ordinance. This ordinance was presented as a way to stop college girls from flashing at Mardi Gras. The theory was that large groups of male college students gather and go out of control when the girls flash. To help solve the Mardi Gras problem, the new ordinance was needed. I think the ordinance should not have been adopted because it attempts to make women responsible for the out of control conduct of men; diverts our attention from the underlying problem which is alcohol abuse; and criminalizes bad judgment under unfair circumstances.

4. What are the largest challenges facing the city and its residents?

Creating an economy that permits young families to live in San Luis Obispo; providing a workforce for businesses; providing health and care workers to meet the needs of our elderly residents; decreasing traffic congestion; and maintaining the quality of life for our residents. These challenges depend on an increase in the amount of workforce housing. Today more people commute to San Luis Obispo to work than live and work in San Luis Obispo. These challenges will not be effectively met until most of the people who work in San Luis Obispo are able to live in San Luis Obispo.