Setting the Record Straight

by Betty Winholtz

I would like to address statements being made, so the public has accurate knowledge upon which to make decisions.

The Seagull Sentinel, with a newspaper-like appearance, is the traditional campaign hit piece on candidates and issues. It consistently contains incorrect information and embellishments. The latest issue contains a multitude of errors. Here are a few key examples from different stories:

"Sewer Plant Foibles"

Disinformation: "Under a great deal of pressure from folks who consider themselves environmentalists,...the Morro Bay City Council decided to build a brand new sewer plant"
Fact: Together Morro Bay and Cayucos are building a new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)--not because of environmental organizations, but because the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) insisted the facility be handled differently in the flood zone within which it sits.

Disinformation: The WWTP project, a "$28 million estimate currently in process with the City"
Fact: The $28 million estimate is in 2006 dollars. The current project figure is $34.5 million..
Disinformation: "Within 4 years it was shown that the facility did not work as needed" (referring to the AZ Palm Valley Water Reclamation Facility, a PERC design/build/operate plant).
Fact: "The project was designed, built, and operated to the satisfaction of LPSCO" (from a letter signed by the LPSCO president referring to the Palm Valley WRF.)

The Lot that says A LOT"

Disinformation: "A big chunk of the extra sales tax you have been paying is being used to fund the new fire station instead of money which should have come from the sale of the San Jacinto lot."
Fact: Residents have not "been paying extra money" to fund the new fire station. Rather, voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund fire and other city services. Until the Cloister's lot is sold, Council is borrowing from that tax fund to pay for the new fire station until the lot is sold. When the sale is final, the money will be reimbursed.

Disinformation: "Winholtz tried to expand the definition of 'landmark trees'"
Fact: I did not argue for the eucalyptus to be included on the mandatory Street Tree List. Rather, I urge it not be excluded from the suggested Park and Open Space Tree List.

"Words to live by from Benjamin Franklin"

Disinformation: This story implied I declared myself "a lawyer." Also, it implied I believed "whatever you have to say to get elected is justified."
Fact: Maybe the "lawyer" comment is a backhanded compliment, but I have not made any such declaration. As for the latter statement, you can judge for yourself by what I say and do.

"Morro Bay Election 2010"

Disinformation: "Betty votes 'NO' on almost everything"
Fact: Let the 10/11/10 City Council meeting be an example. I voted in favor of 9 out of 11 agenda items. Regarding the 2 remaining, I voted against extending a "take" of seagulls to 5 years while U.S. Fish and Wildlife had granted only 1 year, and it would potentially moved the nuisance to another neighborhood, not correct the problem. On the other item, I voted against abandonment of public property to a developer for which the City received no exchange.
A RESPONSE TO MR. GLESMANN'S BAY NEWS LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The letter states, "If revenues do not thrive, services will have to be cut."
My response: It is difficult to thrive in an economic down turn. Services have already been
cut back. Maintenance is the most obvious area cut as symbolized by the condition of our streets. While the City Council added a fourth on duty fire fighter, it cut the department's administrative position.

The letter states, "Betty has voted against the majority of land use issues that have come before Council".
My response: There is more at stake than having a new project bring in property taxes. I am interested in projects that fit, so they will be prosperous, not leave shells of buildings, as seen on Quintana, or empty residential units, as seen along south Main Street. I am for projects that meet our codes, so when they get to the Coastal Commission they won't be rejected or modified to the point the developer has to pay more to redesign. I consistently vote for retaining our commercial zones for commercial use, rather than allowing its takeover by residential use.

The Letter States, "Yet she has consistently voted to increase fees and regulations".
My response: I cannot alone raise fees. In light of higher fee schedules in other cities in the county, and in light of the town's suffering infrastructure. I agreed with the other City Council members that fees needed to be increased. The author needs to be more specific about which regulations he is referring to.

The Letter states it is going to speak to my position on Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), but doesn't.
My response: I have voted for increasing the City TOT, for the County Business Improvement District (BID), and for the City BID. Currently, I voted with Council to not raise TOT at this time.

The Letter states, "Betty voted in favor of this agreement" (referring to a three-year labor contract with the SEIU, one of the City's unions).
My response: I did vote with the City Council majority to approve the contract, but knowing there would be a crisis in 3 years, council did nothing to prepare for it.

The Letter states, "She and her supporters have not explained to the ratepayers how much it is going to cost them each month to put 'purple pipe' in the ground".
My response: Identifying those costs would have been the next step if the JPA (Cayucos and Morro Bay) had committed to unrestricted reclamation water. Instead, it is likely the water will be dumped into the ocean, losing a valuable resource; one the City is in need of. It will cost millions less to put purple/recycle pipe in now than at some undesignated date in the future, and thus we will be prepared for whatever the future may bring rather than dependent on what other agencies will dictate. 

The Letter states, "She has never been able to get her fellow members to agree with her."
My response: Council-approved items in which I have been instrumental include: 1) Mobile home owners rent control ordinance, 2) North Main Street bike lane, 3) Off-leash dog beach into the City's sphere of influence, 4) Emergency notification plan for residents, 5) Control of library meeting room to library staff, 6) Reduction in City Council benefits, 7) City support for the county Housing Trust Fund, 8) City support for SLO Green Build, 9) Increased level of water conservation, 10) Different approach to get the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan passed by the Coastal Commission, and 11) Council Policies and Procedures amendments.