Candidate for
Councilmember; City of San Luis Obispo

An effective City Council Member needs an open mind, a willingness to learn, compassion, patience, and a the ability to work as a respectful team member. I have these skills. But, I am also not afraid to educate the public, even when the information is Negative.

The most pressing issue facing our City is the binding arbitration agreement with our fire and police employees. This year alone, the cost will be $5.4 million. The monies from Measure Y may be tapped to pay their retroactive salaries and the City's new General Plan will be severely compromised by their future salaries (averaging over $100,000/year.) The City Council guided by our Charter can do little to rectify this serious problem which could eventually Bankrupt the City. It is up to the voters of this City to change the Charter by Referendum!!

Many of my ideas are dependent upon the funding which we will lose! Fellow Citizens--Educate yourself and your neighbors about this serious problem and TAKE ACTION. Don't be Afraid of the Unions and their Big Money opposition. SLO will be used as a test case for all other cities in California. Be ready for an media assault! Together we can accomplish outstanding things and hopefully correct the error of Binding Arbitration!

For example:

• Complete bike lanes, buddy-up with Amtrak so tourists bring their bikes along, have the Trolley meet the train. Start a Children's Bike Faire, crown a King/Queen--win a bike, photo in the Trib,and dinner with the Mayor!
• Protect those in Mobile Home Parks from being unjustly forced to move. Our Best Low Cost Housing is in place!
• Enforce our strict Planning Process to protect the Heritage and History of SLO.
• Weigh the value of annexing land to the City so we have the right to determine what will happen to our Gateway parcels, not the County.
• Support more family oriented events; i.e, Fourth of July Do-Dah type of Parade and Festival, Kite Flying Day, Halloween Paint the Town Event.
• My neighbor suggested the Mayor arbitrarily declare one day (perhaps in January--when it is especially snowy in the East) a "Too Beautiful to Work Day" (voluntary, naturally.) Imagine the Free positive National media attention our town would garner!!Everyone would be encouraged to picnic, bike ride, walk, etc. This could give our tourism a boost.
• Keep SLO Clean; i.e., more frequent cleaning of public bathrooms,no gum on sidewalks. "No car parking" on street sweeping days. Find sponsors for beautiful Flower Baskets along Marsh/Higuera. Enforce zero tolerance for Grafitti.
• Set up a Phone Bank System through the Chamber of Commerce so visitors don't need to drive through town seeking an available hotel/motel in their price range (this service is standard procedure throughout Europe!)
• Encourage new business and hiring through a temporary start up period of lower fees/taxes.
• Provide a Check List to homeowners who wish to add-on/rennovate/build to clarify the permit process. This would include a timeline. Time is money (and aggravating) in the Building Process. This would encourage a smoother process, add jobs and more tax dollars/fees to the City.