Editorial Opinion of The Tribune

Morro Bay would benefit from a third term with Mayor Peters

Incumbent balances environmental protection with economic growth

Janice Peters

ELECTION2008

Race: Primary, Morro Bay Mayor

Candidates: Melody De Meritt, City Council member; R. Pepper Hughes, Morro Bay businesswoman; George Leage, Morro Bay business owner; Janice Peters, incumbent

Term: 2 years

Monthly salary: $725

Election Day: June 3

Morro Bay Mayor Janice Peters has proven herself a capable leader over the past four years, and we believe she deserves another term in office.

We’ve been impressed with Peters’ ability to understand and balance the need for economic growth and environmental protection. We also like the fact that she’s gone out of her way to keep citizens in the loop — whether through scheduling office hours or writing Viewpoints to let citizens know of important issues that are coming up or, sometimes, to set the record straight.

Peters also has shown a willingness to put the city’s interests first, even if it’s not the most politically popular choice.

Case in point: When it came time to approve a major upgrade for an aging sewage treatment plant last year, the mayor—along with the rest of the council — wisely voted in favor of the highest level of treatment for wastewater.

But when it came to financing the upgrade, there was less than unanimous agreement. Rather than take on more debt to finance the project, Peters was one of three council members to approve a 50 percent rate increase for customers. That decision was criticized by some residents—and understandably so, considering the size of the rate increase — but we believe it was the right one.

Peters’ willingness to keep the long-term interests of the city in mind will be more impor tant than ever as the city attempts to recover from recent, double economic blows: the decline of the fishing industry and loss of fee revenue from the Morro Bay Power Plant.

All the candidates have some good ideas for helping the city get back on its financial feet. We believe, however, that Peters’ background in politics and her understanding of the needs of local businesses — coupled with her positive outlook and her leadership and communication skills—make her the best choice when it comes to implementing those plans.

We urge Morro Bay voters to re-elect Janice Peters.