- Leadership
I was honored to be elected by my colleagues to lead the Board as Chair during 2009. Little did I know how eventful and challenging 2009 was going to be – we faced the worst budget crisis in recent memory and a personnel scandal involving our top management staff. I’m proud to say that the Board came together and did what needed to be done on both counts and the County continues to move forward. - Public Safety
On public safety issues, I’ve pushed for the most cost-effective application of law-enforcement funds. Even in these difficult budget times, we still need to keep our neighborhoods safe and that requires creative thinking and efficient implementation by all our public safety forces. I’m proud to support the efforts of the Anti-Gang Coordinating Commission, which emphasizes a balanced approach to this incipient problem. I’m pleased that the Commission strongly supports programs to keep youth out of gangs, rather than only reacting to the problem. That approach is good for our kids, our families and our communities. - Streets and Roads
Road safety in District 2 has also been a priority. In recent months important projects have completed a new left turn lane on Highway 1 in Harmony and a significant flood control project in Cambria. A successful appeal to the Coastal Commission has also set the stage to get two failing bridges replaced on San Simeon Creek Road. - Tourism and Our Economy
I worked extensively with the tourist lodging industry to approve a Business Improvement District. This District now collects an additional 2% assessment on room rates to fund tourism promotion – especially important in these difficult times. Most in the industry were strongly supportive, but there were serious concerns among others. I helped draw the District boundaries (which produced consensus among those both inside and out) and got county staff to develop new software to process the payments – a great example of the private and public sectors working together to improve our local economy. - Affordable Housing
I spent considerable time on the continuing struggle for affordable housing. Our first goal has been to protect the affordable housing we have now and I’m proud to say our Board passed an ordinance strictly regulating the closure or conversion of mobile home parks. This important measure – which I first worked on as a Planning Commissioner -- protects park residents from development proposals that would displace them from San Luis Obispo County.
I worked hard for other important housing ordinances over the last three years, including protections on condominium conversions and an inclusionary housing measure that requires market rate housing developments to either build or help fund affordable units.
