We asked each candidate to answer a few question so that you can know a little more about their priorities. See responses from other candidate Heather Moreno.
Candidate Statement
I’m dedicated to making government more accountable, transparent and responsive to you.
I have an MBA from Stanford and have owned a management consulting business for 30 years. I bring moderate, fact-based leadership to the task of making government serve you. As Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember, I have a track record of bringing people together to solve problems. I led development of a new countywide strategic plan on homelessness that Supervisors adopted unanimously. I’ve increased funding for public safety and infrastructure.
I’m not afraid to tackle tough issues to make change. As County Supervisor, I’ll implement real solutions on homelessness, water supply, and maintaining roads and public safety. I’ll retain local small businesses and jobs, and expedite development of housing that’s affordable for workers and seniors while preserving open space from overdevelopment.
I’ll fight to defend women’s rights to reproductive healthcare.
I would appreciate your vote. Funkforsloco.com.
<strong>Rank the issues in order of importance for our county:</strong>
1. Housing
2. Homelessness
3. Water
4. Public safety
5. Economic Development & head of household jobs
6. Funding for infrastructure (roads, water, broadband, etc.)
7. Regional collaboration
8. Public health
9. County unfunded liabilities
10. Diversity, equity & inclusion
11. County taxes
12. Climate action & resilience
13. Government regulation
14. Cannabis businesses
<strong>If elected, what will you do to address the issue you identified above as most significant?</strong>
Economists have made it clear that the #1 economic development barrier in SLO County is housing. This is why the Chamber strongly advocates for the creation of more housing, prioritizing a diverse mix of size, price and type of home. We are reaching the point where young people building careers and families raising children can’t find housing here that they can afford. As they leave, businesses find it harder to attract and retain workers, and eventually businesses leave or close as well. Our County risks becoming like Carmel, with large, lovely homes in beautiful places but not enough people who can fix the plumbing or keep the local coffee shop open.
Increasing density where appropriate is key to creating great walkable neighborhoods with a mix of housing options. Opportunities include making it easier and more profitable to produce quality neighborhoods of “missing middle” housing, increasing the supply and affordability of multi-family rental housing, and ensuring sufficient local contribution to make local projects for very low-income and low-income persons competitive for tax-credit financing. We should also consider making it easier for seniors and others with modest incomes to finance construction of an ADU or the pad to accommodate a tiny home on wheels, in furtherance of both economic and equity goals.
<strong>Which theme in the Chamber's regional economic vision, Imagine SLO, do you think deserves the most focus in the next four years and why?</strong>
While regionalism (We Before Me) is strategically important, it is a means rather than an end. I recommend “Love of Place” as the prime focus because it’s the essence of the SLO brand, and that brand is under threat by a variety of forces that the other pillars address.
In order for SLO County to continue to be a great place to live, build a business and raise a family, we have to address challenges such as homelessness and housing regionally (We Before Me); build a vibrant, innovative economy growing head of household jobs (Doers & Dreamers and Empowering Innovation); build a safe, inclusive and connected community (Lifelong Learning and Creating Connection); and protect the local environment (Environmental Stewardship).
<strong>What is the biggest opportunity for the County as a whole in the next four years?</strong>
SLO County has the opportunity over the next few years to launch a nationally significant role in clean energy innovation and in pioneering the best ways to produce and manage offshore wind energy while minimizing and managing adverse effects on marine life and coastal communities. The direct job opportunities in operations and maintenance of offshore wind are a tithe of the jobs at Diablo Canyon.
However, we should use our future role as “base camp” to attract more venture capital funding for technology businesses, light manufacturing and research, some of which will be involved with offshore wind supply chains. Becoming known as an active innovation center will help create more head of household jobs and thriving entrepreneurs and strengthen fiscal sustainability.
<strong>Do you think our business environment in healthy? What would you do to further support businesses throughout District 5?</strong>
It’s a mixed business environment. On the plus side, Diablo Canyon is on the path to stay open a while longer, preserving local jobs, and the region’s branding in wine and tourism is soaring. Atascadero in particular has made significant strides recently in increasing vibrancy and is on the cusp of transformational downtown infrastructure improvements. On the minus side, some businesses and sectors have not fully recovered from the pandemic and/or high interest rates. Localized limitations include a lack of water supply, electricity delays, parking costs and homeless encampments. Workforce shortages are an ongoing challenge, because workers building careers face major difficulties finding housing they can afford.
The 5th District Supervisor has a distinctive role to play, with one foot in the land of cattle ranches and vineyards and the other foot in the land of bike lanes and brew pubs. Rather like a translator, I will work to make sure each of these communities gets its distinctive needs met so that each part of the district can thrive. I will support business development in District 5 by partnering actively in regional planning and coordination efforts, facilitating the development of jobs closer to housing opportunities in the North County, prioritizing infrastructure investments that support the creation of much-needed workforce and affordable housing while maintaining rural roads, and working strategically to attract and utilize additional resources in addressing homelessness and the affordable housing shortage, healthcare access challenges, and business investment opportunities. I have an abiding interest in public-private partnerships and in business synergy and networking, and I will pursue these approaches actively behind the scenes.