Candidate for
Councilmember; City of San Luis Obispo

The following questions were asked of me by the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

1. What do you believe will be the most important issue/issues before the City Council in the coming four years?

Budget. Budget. Budget. Petty spending projects, top salaries, pensions, and a half-million dollar homeless lawsuit suggest the wisdom and leadership to tame our budget is lacking. We've heard happy buzzwords like "the road to fiscal sustainability." How long is that road? Financial integrity is not something we do down the road, it's what's missing right now. Do we want four more years of traveling or are we ready to be there?

2. What is your position on Measure Y? Do you support its renewal?

Measure Y revenue has been poorly spent, neglecting the promises made to us in 2006. I will correct the record by directing funds toward those promises. Renewal will be decided by voters in 2014. Numerous state propositions have cooled sentiment on tax increases. The council has spent almost no time contemplating what we will do if renewal fails. I will ensure a rational contingency exists for that possibility, not the fiscal cliff we are facing now.

3. Spending on capital improvements has declined in recent years because of budget constraints. Do you believe that more money needs to be dedicated to things such as streets, maintaining buildings, computer systems and water and sewer pipes? If so, where will that money come from?

Yes! Neglect of infrastructure is borrowing from a credit card. Eventually there will be huge repair costs. The money exists but has been diverted--see #1 above. I will not allow our streets and infrastructure to crumble.

4. The proposed homeless services center is expected to come online in the next two to four years. What role should the city play in that? Are there impacts that concern you? Do you believe it is needed?

There is no way to avoid the need for homeless services. But the center is years off. I'm focused on the solutions we need now. We need appropriate places where our homeless citizens--especially local and long-time residents who have lost a place to live--can legally survive without trashing creeks or neighborhoods. Confront the troublemakers, and embrace those in need. We can do that.

5. How should the city handle its growing homeless population?

Homeless individuals have moved in and damaged our Mission, creeks, and natural areas. We need to make it clear that living and dumping waste into our creeks is unacceptable. Period.

6. Is enough being done by the city concerning neighborhood wellness? What would you change?

There are serious problems near the university. Drive the residential streets nearby on Saturday night and you'll see loud, drunken groups roaming from party to party. Every other home has an open door, some with an open bar inside serving minors. I want to direct energy at those major problems, while avoiding citations to individual good citizens. We have citizens with great ideas to solve problems. I want them at council meetings bringing ideas forward.

7. Do you believe that the recent cuts in employee compensation were needed? What other budget measures would you advocate for?

Cities all over California have made cuts, many far more severe. Our employees have given a share, but the city council has not eliminated it's own petty spending. I am disappointed by the small cut our city manager took, and that our council did not challenge her on it. The council has been letting staff run the city instead of the other way around. I intend to lead, not be towed.