Former San Luis Obispo mayor, Public Works director and community volunteer Dave Romero has been named the 2014 Citizen of the Year by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
With more than 50 years as a public servant, 16 of those on the city council, including eight as mayor, Romero played an integral role in bringing the community together to address forward thinking issues including water infrastructure, Mission Plaza creation as well as recycling and conservation programs.
“Dave Romero has worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of San Luis Obispo for decades,” said San Luis Obispo Chamber President and CEO Ermina Karim. “His incredible vision and resiliency was demonstrated time and time again as he championed projects that will serve our community for years to come.”
This award is the Chamber’s highest honor, given at each Annual Dinner to a person who has selflessly committed themselves to making San Luis Obispo a better place to live and work. The award has been given every year since 1973, with the intent of honoring those whose volunteer spirit sets an example for others.
In his decades of service, Romero was an influential and civil voice on the city council. He was a staunch advocate for the City’s participation in the Nacimiento Reservoir Project, and was instrumental in establishing recycled water systems.
“Dave Romero has long deserved this high community honor,” Mayor Jan Marx said. “Of special significance during this extreme drought, is his leadership during his 16 years on the city council in making sure the City of San Luis Obispo has an adequate and secure water supply.”
Prior to his time on the city council Romero spent 36 years working for the City of San Luis Obispo as the Public Works director where he spoke in early favor of closing Monterey Street at the Mission, during a time when the City wanted to widen the street. The move nearly got him fired but led to the eventual creation of Mission Plaza.
Romero had the foresight, leadership and tenacity to plan for many of the amenities enjoyed by residents and tourists today including the trees that line downtown and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. His commitment to maintaining open space was a driver in the completion of several sports fields including the Sinsheimer baseball field and the Damon Garcia Sports Fields.
“Dave’s vision for our community was so strong that even in the face of extreme pressure and opposition, he never backed down,” said Ken Hampian, former city manager. “He had the foresight to anticipate what was best for the future of our community, and the resiliency to advocate tirelessly for those priorities.”
Romero’s commitment to our community also extended to Cal Poly where he served as a professor of engineering for more than 30 years.
He led many local, regional and statewide organizations including serving as president of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and the League of California Cities, as well as serving on the boards of the SLO Airport Land Use Commission and the Performing Arts Center Commission.
A SLO resident since 1956, Romero is also active in numerous community organizations including the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center, Retired Active Men’s Society and the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo.
“Dave’s love affair with SLO is deep and true – and it’s infectious, too,” said Hampian. “For nearly 60 years, he has shared his love in both words and deeds. And, yes, he has built many big, important physical things along the way, too.”