Who should lead Paso Robles? Here are our recommendations for City Council | Opinion
A controversy over paid parking in downtown Paso Robles has been top of mind for many residents over the past several months, and though it’s now resolved — the City Council reinstated free parking — the issue has not been forgotten by voters. They will choose two councilmembers on Nov. 5 — one to fill a two-year term in District 1 and another for a four-year term in District 3.
Veteran Councilmember Fred Strong is running unopposed in District 4.
Candidates in District 1
Kris Beal is the former executive director of Vineyard Team, a nonprofit that advocates for sustainable vineyard practices. She continues to work there on special projects.
Linda George worked as a disability analyst for the Social Security Administration for 14 years and now lobbies for GSMOL (Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League). She was among the leaders of the group opposed to city parking fees.
Sharon Roden was appointed to fill the council seat of John Hamon one year ago, when Hamon replaced the late Steve Martin as mayor. A graduate of Cal Poly, she has managed the family pistachio farm for the past 30 years.
Candidates in District 3
Jeff Carr, a retired electronics engineer, moved to Paso Robles 16 years ago and has been involved in city politics. He, too, fought against the parking fees.
Steve Gregory was appointed to the City Council in 2014 to fill a vacancy. He was the top vote-getter in 2016 and ran unopposed in 2020. He was executive vice president of Sycamore Mineral Springs, Paso Robles Hot Springs and Avila Hot Springs and now has his own consulting business.
Michael Rivera has run for office in Paso Robles before, most recently in 2022, when he challenged Mayor Steve Martin. He’s been a critic of several City Council decisions, including parking fees. Before moving to Paso Robles, he served on the Santa Maria Parks and Recreation Commission and the Guadalupe Planning Commission.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy do we endorse?
Making endorsements during election season is an important role for newspaper editorial boards, including The Tribune Editorial Board. Elections are key to determining the future of our Central Coast region, and through endorsements, we share our opinion of the qualifications of the candidates and recommend those who would best serve our communities.
Due to the large number of races on the 2024 General Election ballot, we are unable to issue endorsements in every race. We chose to focus on the most competitive contests.
For more about our process, click the arrow on the top right.
Who endorses?
Endorsement decisions are made by Editor Joe Tarica and Opinion Editor Stephanie Finucane.
How do we decide?
Candidates are invited to participate in an interview with The Editorial Board where they are asked a series questions about major issues. It’s our opportunity to learn the candidates’ positions and to gauge how well informed they are about issues they are likely to confront if elected.
We also research voting records of candidates who have held public office; we watch candidate forums; we look at back stories from The Tribune, as well as other publications that have covered the candidates; and we examine public documents. We also take a look at the candidates’ advertising and campaign statements. Are they overpromising, for example, or misrepresenting their opponent’s record?
In the case of ballot measures, we study the background of the issue, the pro and con arguments and consider who is supporting and opposing the measure.
Tell us what you think
If you disagree (or agree) with our endorsements, share your thoughts with us by writing a letter to the editor (200-word maximum). Email your submissions to letters@thetribunenews.com. Due to the volume of submissions we receive during campaign season, we do not publish Viewpoint-length pieces (600-800 words) in support or opposition to candidates.
Incumbents vs. challengers
The conflict over paid parking isn’t the only issue motivating the challengers. In a meeting with The Tribune Editorial Board, George criticized the city for not putting more priority on fixing streets in some parts of the city.
“I’ve see potholes the size of Texas,” she said.
Carr wants more public participation, more transparency and better money management, as does Rivera.
And while Beal did not single out the City Council for blame, she believes Paso Robles needs to provide a better variety of housing types.
“You know, are we really creating housing for the people that need it?” she asked.
Let’s put things in perspective.
Paso Robles is a vibrant, thriving community. The high demand for parking in the downtown is a sign of a healthy economy. Some communities would love to have Paso’s problem.
But there is work to be done, including road improvements, development of more housing for low- and moderate-income families and improved communications between the city and the public.
Our endorsements
While we appreciate the job Roden has done over the past year, given the challenges Paso Robles faces, we believe Beal is the best choice for District 1.
Her work in the nonprofit sector has given her a knack for diplomacy, she analyzes issues before reaching a decision and she stresses putting the people of Paso Robles first.
“I’m working, really, to be a new voice to make sure the families and the next generation and the workers of our town have a voice,” she told the editorial board.
Another plus: Beal has a master’s degree in agriculture from Cal Poly and is well versed in water management. She served on a Paso Robles Groundwater Basin committee, taught irrigation at Cal Poly and worked on the county’s water master plan.
In District 3, we support Steve Gregory’s bid for reelection. He is hardworking, he looks for solutions and after the uproar over downtown parking, he appears to be more attuned to the will of the people.
“I will never support a parking fee again,” he said, “because I just think it goes against the grain of so many people.”
The Tribune strongly endorses Kris Beal and Steve Gregory for Paso Robles City Council.