8 candidates will compete for 3 spots in Atascadero as longtime council member retires
Atascadero is gearing up for a busy election season with a field of eight candidates running for mayor and City Council, while one longtime councilwoman retires after more than 20 years in public office.
Incumbent Mayor Heather Moreno will compete for a second term against two candidates — former Planning Commissioner Josh Donovan and former Atascadero High School teacher Jerry Tanimoto.
Incumbent City Councilman Charles Bourbeau will run against a field of four candidates competing for two City Council seats. Bourbeau will square off against writer Bret Heinemann, Atascadero News publisher Nicholas Mattson and Planning Commissioners Mark Dariz and Tori Keen.
Meanwhile, Councilwoman Roberta Fonzi will not seek another term, opting to retire after holding public office in Atascadero for more than two decades.
“I have been involved with the city for 22 years — 10 years as a planning commissioner, 11 years as a City Council member and one year as mayor,” Fonzi wrote in an email to The Tribune. “It has been an honor to serve Atascadero residents, and in many ways I will miss it! I look forward to staying involved, and feel that it is time to step aside to let others serve the city.”
Here’s a look at the candidates running for Atascadero mayor and City Council in November. For more information, and to view all candidates’ statements, visit atascadero.org.
Atascadero mayor candidates
Heather Moreno — Moreno ran unopposed during her first mayoral election in 2018. A former city councilwoman, Moreno succeeded Tom O’Malley, the city’s first elected mayor. City Council members previously served as mayor on a rotating basis, until residents started voting for the office in 2012.
In her candidate statement, Moreno emphasized her leadership experience and the need for a strong Atascadero economy.
“With your support, I will continue the work of building a strong, balanced economy, sustaining fiscal stewardship, and strengthening the connection between you and our city,” Moreno wrote.
Josh Donovan — Donovan previously served on the city Planning Commission and owns Give Fitness Health Club in Atascadero. In his candidate statement, Donovan said he sees Atascadero as “a city struggling with its ability to accomplish the basics or listen to its own people.”
“Needless red tape and ill will has scared away businesses with good-paying jobs from our community,” Donovan wrote. “We deserve a business-friendly Atascadero, focused on recruiting job creators and delivering employment opportunities with livable wages for our residents without having to raise taxes.”
Jerry Tanimoto — Tanimoto is a retired Atascadero High School teacher known for his volunteerism with various North County nonprofits, including the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), the Atascadero Optimist Club and the North County YMCA. In his candidate statement, he said the city needs “a leader we can trust to work for everyone.”
“At AHS, I taught government and leadership,” Tanimoto wrote. “I know how much it matters to have leaders who listen and government that serves everyone. Together, let’s build a community where families and businesses thrive and our children have a future.”
Atascadero City Council candidates
Charles Bourbeau — Bourbeau is seeking his second term on the City Council after first being elected in 2016. In his candidate statement, Bourbeau touted his status as “a strong, independent, nonpartisan voice for economic development, financial responsibility and efficient government.”
“I am known for my thorough homework on all issues before the council, asking tough questions and reaching out to all involved parties, and considering all relevant information before making a decision,” Bourbeau wrote.
Bret Heinemann — Heinemann, a local writer, has run for various Atascadero elected offices for many years. He last ran for City Council in 2016, and he competed for a seat on the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2018.
“My reason for running for Atascadero City Council is citizenship,” Heinemann wrote in his candidate statement. “It is up to qualified citizens to serve on the council to govern Atascadero and administer services in a timely manner.”
Nicholas Mattson — Mattson, publisher of the Atascadero News, previously ran for mayor in 2016. In his candidate statement, he said voters must choose to “continue to embrace the stagnant status quo or harness our city’s potential.”
“I won’t pay lip service to recruiting businesses and jobs to our community and will fight to create a robust economic development program that emphasizes job creation and avoids costly sales tax increases to fill holes in the city budget,” Mattson wrote.
Mark Dariz — Dariz, who’s currently chairman of the Planning Commission, ran for City Council in 2018. In his candidate statement, he said he wants to “model an open and transparent public communication and work cohesively and respectfully with my council colleagues.”
“We will work with other community leaders to bring jobs and business to Atascadero to further enhance our economy, maintain our infrastructure and improve our quality of life,” Dariz wrote.
Tori Keen — Keen, a family law paralegal, currently serves on the Planning Commission. In her candidate statement, Keen said becoming a commissioner “helped me realize I want to be a part of the future growth of our town.”
“Atascadero is wonderful,” Keen wrote. “But there are so many ways we can make it better. Improving city services and infrastructure. Working with our homeless population to find long-term solutions. Building more affordable housing, so more families can become homeowners. Attracting and retaining more small, local businesses. And embarking on larger civic projects, like expanded creek access, or a new sports complex.”
