Compare and Consider: Morro Bay Candidates (continued)
Mayoral Candidate Website Highlights
I did vote to proceed with a subcommittee to establish guidelines for a MMD (medical marijuana dispensary), though, because the State court could rule that forbidding them is illegal. If that happens, or if the Federal law changes, we will need to be prepared and protected with an ordinance that limits the number and location of such businesses. However, I agree with the majority of our citizens who have called, emailed and spoken to me, and I do not support a MMD in Morro Bay at this time.
Morro Bay has a “structural deficit.” Simply put, that means we are spending more money every year than we take in with taxes.
And with the labor contracts that keep getting signed, government employees are guaranteed raises and cost of living adjustments automatically, whether they are doing the job or not. Whether or not they are obstructing business and in turn economic growth, they not only get paid, but they get raises. We are rewarding inefficiency and even sloth.
Government moves far too slow and it’s because no one lights a fire under their butts to get them moving; to work efficiently and competently. As taxpayers, we have to stop this nonsense. We are after all, the ones paying the bills.
I propose that with the next employee contract we change from the status quo—ensuring people’s jobs and giving raises whether they get the job done or not—to a “goal-oriented” and “achievement-based” compensation formula. We need to make clear that there will be NO RAISES for at least two years and if the cost of medical insurance goes up they will have to cover it.
We need to address the pumping restrictions on city wells, which have no basis in scientific fact and were enacted in contradiction of an approved EIR (Environmental Impact Report) that was done specifically for our water rights permit application with the state. Given the state’s utter failure to properly manage the state water project, I believe we are in a strong position to ask the State Water Resources Control Board to revisit these pumping restrictions, with a goal of lessening them so our wells could be used during periods of peak demand (holiday weekends and during the summer tourist season). Or at the least, the wells should be available to make up for State Water Project delivery shortfalls and for use during its annual shutdowns in November no matter what the creek flow is at the time. I would be willing to take this argument to Sacramento and frankly would not take “no” for an answer.
In light of the controversy surrounding the contractor MWH Americas, Inc., and claims by PERC Water that the bid process was unfair, do I favor reconsideration of the current plan to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant? This is probably a moot issue because a contract has already been awarded and is likely to be enacted long before anyone now running could take office and stop it. I hope that our current council members would have the wisdom to act in the best interests of our residents and water system customers, in conjunction with our partners from the Cayucos Sanitary District. I would support holding off on awarding the contract for design-build until PERC Water was able to make a full presentation and formal proposal for its plan.
The redevelopment agency was a good idea that was handled poorly. I would support revisiting the issue, but doing it right this time. Too many people were taken by surprise and the city could have done a much better job of promoting the RA, especially in the face of the mis-information campaign that was launched in opposition.
New and more signs along Hwy 1are needed to attract visitors.
I would make sure that Dial-a-Ride and our public transportation programs remain intact and provide the best service possible.
City savings have been used to balance the city budget yearly. I have opposed this practice. We need to balance our budget by focusing on revenue enhancement and expense reduction. On the revenue side, the city should help businesses to encourage creativity and aggressiveness. The city needs better oversight of staff projects to reduce waste, review of hiring and promotion, reduce staff through attrition and bring about staff reorganization.
We need to improve the process for responding to and addressing the concerns, suggestions and complaints submitted by residents. We need to hold our elected officials accountable and demand that we pay attention to you, the residents. I urge residents to get involved, write emails and letters to Council, attend forums and meetings and subscribe to city's notification list. And vote.
I support greater oversight by the mayor and Council of projects initiated by City staff, so that guidance can be provided to ensure that your tax dollars are being spent appropriately. This will include more frequent and more detailed Council review of staff project plans, status, and expenditures and increase staff accountability for expenditures.
The community must hold your elected officials accountable for allowing waste. Ask for information. Voice concerns at meetings and in writing.
I support:
—Lowered rents, during difficult economic times, for businesses operating on City lease sites and programs that encourage residents to shop locally.
—After-school programs and facilities, maintaining Dial-a-Ride services, our public library and a safe harbor.
—Our police force and the community neighborhood watch program. Residents should report unsafe sidewalk conditions, road hazards and evidence of sewer problems
—The city seeking affordable housing through federal grants and encouraging building of second units that are small and affordable.
—Preservation of our small-town character by actively supporting the development of ordinances that ensure that the size of a structure is suitable for the size of its lot.
—Public health and safety programs, recognizing that public safety includes not only police and fire protection, but also clean water, after- school programs for our children, safe roads and sidewalks with appropriate signage, and a sewer system that is in good repair.
I will work to ensure a safe, sanitary, and reliable water supply by (1) requiring staff reports on efforts to clean up aquifers that support wells, (2) insisting that tests are conducted to ensure all sources of contaminaton are identified, (3) aggressively pursuing reclamation of wastewater for use for irrigation and to replinish aquifers and reduce reliance on unreliable state water supplies, (4) promoting water conservation education and practices to minimize reliance on state water and use of well water.
I will encourage the city and residents to work together to preserve and protect our natural environment by supporting (1) green building programs, (2) water conservation and newer technologies, (3) wastewater treatment that delivers the highest quality for use in replinishing aquifers and for irrigration and (4) rehabitilation of sewer lines.
I campaigned in support of expansion of the Morro Bay Library.
The best way to increase city revenues is to increase tourism, our largest, by far, “industry.” Increased tourism translates into more hotel and sales tax money. A full-time promotions person should be hired, a marketing person who will spend 40 hours a week writing press releases, articles, on the phone, hosting travel writers, attending travel trade shows, getting our name out.
We need to re-invent the Embarcadero by replacing the street lamps, painting the lamp posts, flying banners from the posts, drastically reducing the street signage (do we really need two-hour parking signs every 20 feet?), paint the curbs, bring back street entertainment on weekends and during the summer(funded by the Harbor Department), have roving ambassadors (volunteers) and flags everywhere.
I support the ships-to-reef program. That would bring a new industry to town: diving. A giant sea life mural should be placed on the front and south side of the power plant. And get the maritime museum off the ground once and for all.
We must stop using reserves to balance the budget. I support staff cuts. The city should make it easier to get business permits.
I promise to manage city money better, increase revenues by promoting tourism better, get things accomplished, improve accountability and get honest, accurate information from staff.
Belted Kingfisher image on banner by Cleve Nash
|
