For the past 30 years or more, Morro Bay has been a community of competing political interests — businesses on one hand, and residents on the other.
Typically, businesses — not all but many — advocate what they think is best for them. And residents — certainly not all but a significant number — advocate for maintaining Morro Bay as a pleasant place to live as residents.
Businesses organize and come up with or actively support candidates who reflect their interests. Most residents hardly know who the candidates are as an election approaches, but virtually all residents are united by the desire to preserve Morro Bay as they cherish it. Few individuals are active in politics while businesses and their followers are.
It's not that businesses don't care about residents or that residents don't care about businesses. But years of politics in practice show that businesses actively advocate for what they think is best for them, and residents in general aren't active in politics. But residents certainly do support candidates who are successful in letting them know they share the residents' priorities focused on quality of life, not making a profit.
This year at the June 5 city primary election, there are four candidates for mayor of Morro Bay and four candidates for two open seats on the City Council. If any mayoral candidate wins a majority of votes cast on June 5, she or he is elected then. If no one wins a majority, the top two vote-getters will face each other at the November 6 general election.
Carla Borchard
Jamie Irons
Bill Yates
Joseph Yukich
There also are four candidates for two open seats on the City Council, and if one wins a majority of the votes cast on June 5, she or he will be elected to one of the two seats. Then the next two highest vote-getters will face each other on Nov. 6 for the other seat. If no council candidate wins a majority of the vote on June 5, all four will run on Nov. 6 and the top two vote-getters will be elected to the two seats.
James R. Hayes
Christine Johnson
Noah Smukler
Joan Solu
Based on their campaign statements submitted to the City Clerk as part of the process of filing to run, and other information about them, there are two mayoral candidates who can be considered "business" candidates for mayor and two who are on record favoring residents, such as Joseph Yukich, who said in his campaign statement that "I’ll take care of the taxpayers before tourists." He was referring to the considerable time and effort that the present City Council — which includes candidates Bill Yates and Carla Borchard — has devoted to boosting tourism, which helps businesses and also generates revenue for the city. The other mayoral candidate is Jamie Irons, an engineer at the Morro Bay Power Plant, who served on the City Planning Commission. Yukich is a restaurant owner in north Morro Bay.
The two mayoral business candidates are Borchard, a local restaurant owner, who was elected to the Council in 2008, and incumbent Yates, who is well known for his ties to the business community. He was elected mayor by 72 votes over Betty Winholtz in 2010 and previously served two terms as mayor. Yates registered to run this year at the last minute after the other three candidates had done so.
For City Council, there are two candidates who have records of supporting and working in the best interests of the residential community: incumbent Noah Smukler and Christine Johnson, president of the Morro Bay Friends of the Library. Smukler is a landscape contractor and was elected to the Council in 2008.
One business candidate for Council is Joan Solu, who describes herself as a "hotelier," and is believed to own Beach Bungalow Inn and Suites in Morro Bay. She currently is city Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board chair. The fourth Council candidate is James R. Hayes, recently retired as a Morro Bay sewer collection systems supervisor, an unknown in city politics or community activities.
Following are campaign statements submitted by the candidates to the City Clerk's office:
Mayor
Carla Borchard
Business Owner- The City of Morro Bay deserves a dedicated leader who is responsive to residential, business, harbor and tishing needs. As your City Councilmember, l have a track record of working hard on your behalf, being informed, prepared and able to make objective and reasonable decisions regarding policies for our City. My administrative skills have helped to bring forward many ideas and cost saving measures that benefit our community.
In addition to sewing as your City Councilmember, my community involvement includes owning and operating a successful Morro Bay business, raising my family, and volunteering and serving on the boards of many local organizations over the past 33 years.
As your Mayor, I will continue to give the utmost diligence and attention to concerns of our community. I have respect for diversity, but place an emphasis on our common values. I believe long term planning aimed toward our shared visions is an important step in preserving a healthy atmosphere for all of us.
With your vote, I will continue to devote my time and energy to maintaining and enhancing the vitality of our unique community and the special attributes we enjoy living in Morro Bay.
Jamie Irons
Age: 52
Occupation: Instrumentation Technician
I am a 20 year resident, former Planning Commissioner, and active State Parks Trails Committee member who cares deeply about Morro Bay. I possess the qualities and conviction necessary to steer the City in a positive direction on vital issues including updating our community vision through our General Plan, upgrading our infrastructure such as our Waste Water Treatment Plant and City streets, and improving our local economy without sacrificing our environment.
Your input on issues coupled with my core values will create lasting solutions for our community. My values and strengths include:
A strong sense of community, a sincere respect for the public process, a sense of fairness, compassion and curiosity that allows me to hear and appreciate diverse opinions, and the integrity to conduct business in an honest and transparent manner.
Community vitality is my vision for Morro Bay. I believe it is what we all want; vibrant businesses, neighborhoods, and families in a clean, safe, and healthy environment. Together we can identify the boundaries that limit our success, address them, and achieve community vitality. Vision, values, and vitality with a focused direction to succeed is what I offer.
Bill Yates
Age: 62 Occupation: Insurance Adjuster. I believe Morro Bay desperately needs new leadership and a new direction. I can deliver these. I have previously served as Morro Bay’s mayor for three terms. I understand the city organization thoroughly, our history, and our way of life. I love living here; my wife and I raised our children here. I enjoyed serving as your mayor in the past; I understand every facet of the job, and recognize the challenges our city faces in the immediate future.
I am about experience, leadership, integrity, and supporting our business and fishing communities. I insist on financial responsibility, transparency, and accountability in our city government. Above all, I’m the person my fellow citizens can turn to when they hit a bureaucratic brick wall, or just need a friend. I always strive to enhance our quality of life. I will take care of business, get things accomplished, and move our city forward.
I will run a clean, honest, upbeat, and respectful campaign; never utter an ill word against my
opponents; operate on the highest ethical plane; and focus my commentaries on the issues and how I will address them.
Joseph Yukich
Occupation: Local Businessman
Education and Qualifications: I hold a B.A in Management from St. Marys College in Moraga, California. I have built a successful restaurant business here. I have worked within both the private and government sector; therefore I have a fluid understanding of how each system operates. Each offers its own set of challenges and unique situations. I have always met those challenges with success to the satisfaction of those I have served.
I know Morro Bay. Like the rest of America, we in Morro Bay face tremendous challenges, and we deserve new leadership with bold ideas for the 21st Century. Many family members have lived in town since 1973. In 1977, I attended Morro Bay High School where I played football under coaching legend Sam Boyd.
As your Mayor I’ll take care of the taxpayers before tourists. I’ll start by repairing our roads, our infrastructure, and I will propose that every city department, agency and program review their budgets for fiscal efficiency and waste. I will develop a systematic approach that enables us to identify waste, increase performance and add value to our city.
My pledge: no deficit, no new taxes, better performance, taxpayers before tourists.
City Council
James R. Hayes
Occupation: Retired
Morro Bay has been my home for 31 years; I have lived, worked and raised a family here. Now that I am retired I have the time and energy to give something back to our community.
I worked for the City 31 years, keeping our aging infrastructure maintained at the least cost to the taxpayer. I have worked on our streets, sewer lines and at our sewer plant. I know the serious challenges facing Morro Bay.
During my career I was given major responsibilities. I was tasked with creating sewer management plans and many documents that were required by the State. I am a licensed operator for both sewer systems and treatment plants.
I have experience in creating budgets and living within their confines. I know tough decisions must be made and I am capable of making them. I realize the pain we all feel with rising costs and diminishing dollars.
I promise that I will work for common sense, no nonsense government. The City is facing serious challenges. We don’t have the time or resources to waste on the impractical or frivolous. I welcome your support and promise to work hard to live up to your expectations.
Christine Johnson
Occupation: Community Volunteer
I’m passionate about Morro Bay and will work hard for our one-of-a-kind community.
If elected, I will listen to you and will work to: Strengthen relationships with residents, businesses, City staff and agencies like the California Coastal Commission; Unify our business community to ensure economic vitality;
Preserve natural resources that enhance quality of life and promote tourism; Focus on appropriate investment in our aging infrastructure; Protect tax-payer dollars with sound fiscal policies.
Since earning a master’s degree in 1991, I’ve lived and worked in 8 cities in 5 countries and developed the skills necessary for success in tough environments.
I’ve put my leadership and facilitation skills to work building relationships and connecting people to strengthen our town.
I volunteer as the Morro Bay Friends of the Library President, as Morro Bay 4th Board Member/ Bike Parade Director, as Del Mar Elementary PTA Room Parent and as United Way Board Member. For fun, my North Morro Bay neighbors and I worked together to win a contest resulting in a feature article in Sunset Magazine.
My husband and I settled permanently in Morro Bay to raise our son.
Noah Smukler
Occupation: Landscape Contractor / Councilmember
Education and Qualifications: Cal Poly Graduate, Natural Resources Management & Recreation; Chair of Morro Bay Volunteer Tree Committee; Member: Economic Development Committee; Founding Member, Estero Bay Community Garden; Member of Morro Bay Eco-Rotary Service Club & Surfrider Foundation.
I have worked diligently to fulfill my responsibilities as a public servant and your representative. It’s been a productive first term on the City Council and I am ready for round two!
Selection of 1st Term Highlights:
Balanced Budgets with NO NEW TAXES or TAX INCREASES; Worked collaboratively to achieve equitable pension reform; Focused financial resources on improvements to street infrastructure, energy/water efficiency and upkeep/maintenance of City facilities; Championed Green Building Incentive Program & 1st Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan; Worked for a transparent, accessible and representative Government.
I value conservative budgeting, a healthy environment, volunteerism, a prosperous local economy, safe neighborhoods, and the unique characteristics of our town. With your support, I will continue to work for an ethical government that fairly provides affordable services and dependable infrastructure to the entire community now and into the future.
I appreciate your consideration and participation in local government. I am honored to serve you.
Joan Solu
Education and Qualifications: I am running for City Council to bring a fresh family oriented, business and community service related perspective to our Council.
Morro Bay is a quaint, and beautiful place to live, raise a family, our quality of life and cultural and fishing heritage for generations to come.
My qualifications include being a Wife, Mother of 4 boys and Hotelier. I currently serve as your Morro Bay Tourism Business Improvement District Chair. Previously I served as the Recreation and Parks Commission years. I also serve on the Morro Bay Community Foundation Board.
I know that the key component to continuing quality City of our local economy. I support cost effective sustainable programs and facilities for our City Infrastructure and Sewer that will minimize economic impacts on our seniors, families and businesses.
Working together as a team Morro Bay can retain its cultural, fishing and resource heritage for generations to come.
Thank you for your confidence.
