Who should be SLO’s next mayor? Is Measure G a good idea? Here’s what Trib readers think
A changed mind for Measure G
When Measure G-20 was first discussed earlier this year, I was concerned about the timing due to COVID-19 impacts on our residents and small businesses. But I have come to realize this is exactly the right time to invest in our community.
Measure G-20 will generate over $21 million a year to invest in much-needed infrastructure projects the city has deferred for decades. With Measure G dollars, which are mostly paid by visitors, our city can improve the safety of intersections, build overpasses, enhance open space, improve parks and support social programs that reduce homelessness. The funds will be used to help small businesses recover and to improve our public safety and disaster preparedness.
These are all expensive undertakings, and the city will be able to borrow against the predictable revenue that Measure G-20 produces to fulfill our community’s needs and ambitions. This ability to borrow is an enormous benefit, and something we haven’t had before.
Voting yes on Measure G-20 is a vote to improve SLO’s quality of life for all residents and businesses. Please join me in voting yes.
Erik Justesen, San Luis Obispo
Harmon is the leader we need
The next mayor of San Luis Obispo will face an avalanche of unprecedented challenges: leading the post-pandemic recovery for our small businesses; navigating the impacts of the Diablo Canyon closure; remediating the wounds of structural racism while working to heal our political and social divide; making smart strides toward combating climate change; and finding innovative solutions to the intractable problems of sheltering the homeless and providing affordable housing.
Heidi Harmon has the experience and leadership we need in this difficult moment. She is skilled at leading the processes key to a well-run SLO, and she does so in a way that actively engages all stakeholders. She deftly navigates SLO’s generational divide, heeding her elders and honoring their life experience while encouraging new voices to share their dreams, demonstrate their talents and take their place in the public square.
She is persuasive in-person in Council Chambers and miraculously conveys her humanity over Zoom. I’d guess she pays a personal toll for her boldness, her innovation, for walking that 20th/21st century line. What I know is that San Luis Obispo is a better place for her leadership. Reelect Heidi Harmon mayor of San Luis Obispo.
Sandi Sigurdson, San Luis Obispo
Outraged over smear
I am outraged by the local Democratic Party’s smear campaign against two nonpartisan female candidates in the nonpartisan SLO city mayoral and council races.
Calling them right wing Republicans, wolves in sheep’s clothing and many derogatory terms not fit for this paper shows the local party’s true hatred for anyone who opposes their “progressive” agenda.
Cherisse Sweeney is a successful downtown business owner who has juggled family and career – just like Hillary Clinton and so many other women have done. Abrianna Torres is a young Black female running for the City Council — the very council that voted to spend $160,000 on promoting diversity — yet because she is local and pro-business, her blackness apparently doesn’t measure up to the incumbents’ vision for diversity.
The local Democrats have shown their hypocrisy in lashing out at two independent candidates who embody what successful women, white and Black, can achieve. Shame on you!
Leslie Halls, San Luis Obispo
Support for Sweeney
I am a SLO resident and registered Democrat proudly supporting Cherisse Sweeney for mayor.
I have read some of the lies being told about this candidate and cannot remain silent. I have met mayoral candidate Cherisse Sweeney and can report without reservation that she is the real deal!
She is committed to her non-partisan position and intent on unifying our community. She is an extremely intelligent woman and local business owner with fiscal responsibility. She brings experience in working with multiple agencies, local, state and federal which will be useful in addressing our homeless situation in SLO.
This Democrat encourages you to vote for Cherisse Sweeney. A vote for Sweeney is a vote for a positive direction for the City of San Luis Obispo.
Melissa Tunnell, San Luis Obispo
Dem Party endorsements
I love the city of San Luis Obispo. I used to live there, and may again.
Meanwhile, I keep an eye on SLO town’s goings-on — entertainment, events and politics — because it’s the county’s seat and biggest city, and because it’s an incredibly beautiful place to visit.
I’m also a fan of San Luis Obispo’s mayor, Heidi Harmon, who has been endorsed for reelection by the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party (SLOCDP).
In addition, SLOCDP endorsed Andy Pease and Kelly Evans for the two San Luis Obispo City Council seats being contested. Many organizations and clubs have announced their support for Andy and Kelly, as well as for one or two other candidates. Unsurprisingly, some of the organizations and clubs have the words “San Luis Obispo” in their names, so there may be some confusion about which aspirants are the actual Democratic Party’s official candidates.
A quick visit to the SLOCDP website will immediately clear up any misunderstanding. SLOCDP has endorsed two — and only two — candidates for the SLO City Council: Andy Pease and Kelly Evans. Any others who pose as official Democratic Party candidates do a disservice to the city’s voters.
John Alan Connerley, Oceano
Vote Papp for council
The malaise that this country is experiencing right now stems from distrust. Many of us distrust our mayor and City Council. This is because the political “handlers” who surround these people tell them what they should say and what they shouldn’t say. It’s all about “messaging”.
James Papp is an anomaly. He is authentic and speaks his mind. Yes, this can appear to be reckless, but only if we’re talking about those who care only about themselves. James Papp cares deeply about others, though it is easy to characterize him as an egomaniac. Why? Because he speaks eloquently, sometimes too passionately, about our shared values, knowing full well that these values do not conform to the city’s current “agenda” — an agenda that includes the mantra “build-baby-build.” Jame Papp is not a “political hack.”
We don’t need any more “political hacks”. These are imposters who care only about one thing … themselves and their next reelection. So please reconsider your vote if you haven’t already voted. Vote for James Papp.
Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo
Vote Sweeney, Torres
I support Cherisse Sweeney for mayor because I am a proud Salvadorean immigrant, a descendant of the Pipil Indigena Tribe, and I am also a nurse.
I value the freedoms this country offers us, so freedom of expression is extremely important to me. However, with those rights come responsibilities. We have an obligation to exercise our freedoms in a way that is safe for everyone.
On the day Miss Tianna Arata and comrades decided to block the freeway and put everyone in danger, I was on my way to work as a nurse caring for COVID patients, which is extremely exhausting physically and emotionally. At the end of a 12-hour shift, one can’t wait to be relieved by the next nurse.
Tianna and company forced the nurse I was supposed to relieve to work overtime, placing lives of our patients at risk. They also questioned if a woman was or was not in labor, destroyed private property, hurt a 4-year-old child, yelled obscenities, abused patrons at a local restaurant and the list goes on. Tianna was arrested and Mayor Heidi Harmon advocated for her release. The current mayor and leadership are not looking out for citizens’ best interests. I urge you to vote for new leadership and vote for Sweeney and Abrianna Torres.
Sandra Bocchicchio, Arroyo Grande
Why Heidi?
I cannot believe The Tribune is backing Heidi Harmon. She has done nothing but create a separation amongst the people of San Luis Obispo.
Instead of cleaning the needles out of the park and creek, instead of helping small businesses from going under, instead of removing the drug-addled homeless from ruining downtown and instead of backing and supporting our police force in doing their jobs, she has decided to take another approach.
Instead, she has sided with Black Lives Matter and the young lady who shouted profanities and disrupted downtown businesses. Harmon spent $1.5 million to create a bike lane that barely anyone uses. She is trying to make all new housing rely on electric only and no gas, which raises the asking price by $30,000. She has done nothing for the people of SLO, the businesses of SLO or the workers of SLO. Everyone who owns or runs a business in SLO will be voting for Cherisse Sweeney.
Richard Wirz, San Luis Obispo
Give Sweeney, Torres a chance
In my mind, the primary responsibilities of mayor and council are to ensure, to the extent possible, quality of life for residents. That quality of life includes physical (such as streets, infrastructure), financial, health and social / emotional elements.
To address these issues, the mayor and council must first and foremost understand the forces and trends in their specific community and focus on those, not withstanding issues in other communities and the nation.
The recent period of unrest provided an uncomfortable insight into the makeup and mindset of the council. While not all members commented, some were particularly vocal. Those who were vocal clearly supported influences from outside of San Luis Obispo to the extent that they actively supported activists over local businesses, violating the most basic element of their responsibilities .
As a longtime resident of San Luis for over 45 years, I would challenge the councilors to specifically reference instances of racial bias.
Our current leadership has rejected the basics of their task. As such, Cherisse Sweeney and Abrianna Torres should be given their chance.
Scott Bruce, San Luis Obispo
Measure G is good for all of SLO
We know some SLO city business owners are worried Measure G-20, the sales tax increase, might hurt their business. But as the owners of 11 Jamba stores, we strongly urge SLO city residents to vote yes for Measure G-20.
First, there is no evidence businesses are harmed by such a small tax increase. One need look no further than Amazon, whose revenues have increased 57% since 2017, when Amazon was first required to collect sales taxes. Amazon’s revenues skyrocketed from $178 billion in 2017 to more than $280 billion in 2019.
Second, everyone’s health and well being depend on having a strong economy, and businesses do better when city services are fully functioning. Measure G-20 revenues will help ensure city services remain at the level to which SLO residents are accustomed.
Finally, it’s no accident that SLO is a great place to live. The quality of life here is the result of residents pulling together to make it so. Measure G-20 is another opportunity to pull together to help ourselves, and to invest in the future of the city we all love and to have the visitors to SLO pay their share as well. Please vote yes on Measure G-20
Jeff and Linda Olds, Arroyo Grande
Libertarian says yes to G
As a registered Libertarian, I generally lean against tax increases. But in the case of SLO’s Measure G-20, I urge residents to vote yes.
G-20 calls for a small increase in sales tax – a net 1%. But this small increase will be enormously beneficial. It will fund important city initiatives such as infrastructure improvement and repair, public safety, green belt expansion and efforts to move us all into adequate housing.
As important, Measure G-20 will support appropriate police reform, including more support for mental health and homeless services, and it will prevent reckless “defunding” proposals.
But “defunding” is exactly what will happen if Measure G fails. During these times, the city simply cannot decrease sales tax to an outdated 2005 level without drastic cuts in public safety, parks and green belt expansion, childcare and senior programs, street maintenance and other vital services.
Please support Measure G-20 to keep our city moving toward the SLO Chamber’s mission of “a place that ignites creativity, celebrates diversity and spurs innovation. A place where people work together from across the region to tackle shared challenges, drive economic growth and preserve our natural resources.”
Jeff Buckingham, San Luis Obisp
Jan Marx’s environmental record
I served with Jan Marx on the SLO County Park Commission for five years. She was instrumental in our Open Space Plan, now part of the county’s Park and Rec Element. I’m enormously impressed by Jan’s dedication, vision and effectiveness. She is a passionate and committed environmentalist. She served as Chair for ECOSLO (six years); and served on the Open Space Subcommittee, which identified places that should never be developed, laying the groundwork for open space preservation by the city, the Land Conservancy and the county.
As a City Council member and mayor, she was instrumental in the preservation of over 7,000 acres of Greenbelt area. She fought the ATV organizations, instead voting for clean air. She has spearheaded the successful referendum to overturn SLO City Council’s decision to build a huge shopping center on the Dalidio property, which violated the General Plan’s provision that half of the land be preserved in ag. A portion of that city land is now the location of City Farm SLO.
Jan does her homework, listens to new input and makes her decisions based on facts. We need more leaders in our county like Jan Marx.
Pandora Nash-Karner, Los Osos
Erik Long for SLO Council
I have known Erik Long for many years. He is progressive, open minded, realistic and is able to get things done. He is very well educated and experienced in political science and political activism. He is a talented leader who is dedicated and focused on the issues facing the city.
He plans to have three summits where all can offer their opinions and suggestions on the major issues facing the city of SLO: homelessness, housing and downtown parking. This demonstrates he is willing to listen and serve all citizens in a thoughtful manner.
He also is proposing to add foot patrols downtown to improve police relations and communications, and provide excellent service to downtown businesses and tourists. He is respected and endorsed by many professionals and business owners in SLO.
A longtime resident of SLO, Erik has the passion to serve the city and improve the lives of the people.
Please vote for Erik Long in the upcoming election.
Phil Panos, Grover Beach
Measure G for good health
Nobody likes paying taxes, but they are necessary to pay for services we all need and benefit from. As the CEOs of three different health-care organizations, we urge SLO city voters to approve Measure G-20. We believe Measure G-20 is particularly necessary to help our city recover from the ill effects of this pandemic on our economy, and on our community’s physical and mental health.
Measure G-20 revenue will support our community’s seniors, workers and families; provide city services that underlie our community’s high quality of life – clean air, clean water, open green space, along with housing and public safety; plus provide the ability to address important challenges such as homelessness and the community’s mental and physical health.
Maintaining that high quality of life helps our community attract talented health-care providers — doctors, nurses, medical techs, therapists and social workers — with the skills and dedication to treat our illnesses and keep us and our loved ones healthy.
Measure G-20 is a sensible way forward for the small investment of a mere penny on the dollar.
Please vote yes for Measure G-20 for our community’s health and well-being.
Jill Bolster-White, CEO, Transitions-Mental Health Association
Alan Iftiniuk, President & CEO, French Hospital Medical Center
Mark Lisa, CEO, Tenet Health Central Coast
Harmon understands SLO
Every candidate should be required to answer these questions: Who are you, really? What have you done to improve our community, and what is your detailed plan to support SLO?
Only one mayoral candidate has answered those questions so far. Heidi Harmon is is a 33-year resident of San Luis Obispo whose actions have reflected the priorities voiced in our community, including developing the Small Business Relief Fund, addressing the pension gap, supporting workforce housing, initiating the Diversity Task Force, championing Community Choice Energy and alternative transportation, and supporting downtown businesses during Covid-19.
Mayor Harmon’s platform reflects a keen understanding of how our city works.
Like all Council candidates except for Cherisse Sweeney, James Papp and Abrianna Torres, she supports Measure G because she understands that we cannot depend on the state or federal government to fund our future. In contrast, Sweeney continues to dodge questions about her vision for SLO. A campaign of uninformed opposition won’t move us forward. I hope you will research carefully who your candidates really are and will vote for a person who has demonstrated her commitment to our community and has a concrete plan for our future. I will be voting for Heidi Harmon.
Laura Slaughter, San Luis Obispo
G is a self-help measure
No one likes the idea of more taxes, but Measure G-20 — at a net increase of a mere penny on the dollar — is an affordable way for SLO city residents to help ourselves in a time of real need. Revenue from this small increase will make sure we have the money our city needs to maintain services that we all depend on — from timely responses to emergencies, homeless prevention programs, street and park maintenance and more.
As a San Luis Obispo business owner, I am confident this tax will not hurt local businesses. Our sales tax rate will be in line with other SLO County cities and will be at or below most California cities’ rates.
Further, it’s a way to help ourselves when we know that neither Sacramento nor Washington will help our city.
Also important: Most of the revenue that Measure G-20 will raise will come from nonresidents – the people who otherwise do not pay any taxes to support the services they use when they visit SLO.
Please vote yes on Measure G-20 — for a strong San Luis Obispo.
Tom Lebens, San Luis Obispo
Support for Heidi Harmon
My son’s school has been able to reopen for limited in-person classes. Recently the school received a threat. While the threat didn’t seem credible from the outset, the San Luis Obispo Police Department was called, and so were parents. The school closed for the day just in case.
I believe systemic racism exists, and I support the Black Lives Matter movement. I am also unequivocally grateful to the SLOPD for the guidance and support it provided that day; I am especially grateful to the three SLOPD officers who monitored the situation. Their presence diminished my anxiety.
It’s possible to hold two simultaneous convictions: to support the Black Lives Matter movement and to support our local law enforcement. We can fight to eradicate racism and advocate for law enforcement to be charged with the responsibilities — and receive funds — that best enable them to keep our community safe.
I have heard only one mayoral candidate substantially supporting both entities: Heidi Harmon. Bridging the divide between what BLM leaders want and what the city can deliver will take time and cooperation. A willingness to have an open conversation is the start. Heidi Harmon will receive my vote.
Sara Roahen DeSchutter, San Luis Obispo
Vote for Jan Marx
Jan Marx is the clear choice for San Luis Obispo City Council. Her deep understanding and extensive knowledge of local government are needed now more than ever as our city faces the COVID financial crunch.
She has built a valuable network that connects her to our community and key organizations. She has credibility across the political spectrum and is highly principled with the drive to make our community better. She is worthy of our trust to do a great job.
She has an amazing track record of achievements from Nacimiento water that flows to open space to our city’s first inclusionary housing ordinance and the purchase of land for our new 40 Prado homeless shelter. She is an effective leader who puts civility first and is never showy about it. We will need an experienced, steady hand to guide us through these troubled times. We can count on her to a great job for our city.
Amy Kardel, San Luis Obispo
Vote Marshall, Papp for SLO
Open space has been at the top of the list every time the city of San Luis Obispo has done a survey of residents’ interests since the 1990s. The current mayor and City Council are the first to vote to weaken our open space policies.
Sandra Marshall is an environmentalist and a supporter of our open space program who ran our Earth Day celebrations for many years.
Major historically significant city assets have been saved from the wrecking ball due in large part to the efforts and research of James Papp, including the Heyd Adobe and the Johnson Building at Higuera and Chorro.
If you value historic preservation and maintaining the city’s open space program and policies, I strongly encourage you to vote for Sandra Marshall for mayor and James Papp for City Council.
Christine Mulholland, San Luis Obispo
Jan Marx is good for SLO
Our city is facing difficult times, while our state and nation are increasingly polarized. More than ever, we need honest, rational and balanced leadership. For this reason, I’m happy to see that Jan Howell Marx, our former mayor, is in the race for one of the two open seats on the SLO City Council.
I have known Jan for many years and worked closely with her while I chaired the SLO City Tree Committee from 2008 to 2016. Jan is a long-time advocate for environmental conservation, the city’s open spaces and our vital urban forest. During her previous years as a City Council member and mayor, Jan accomplished a long list of victories for our town. She increased open space preserves and improved the city’s relationship with Cal Poly while tackling housing and expanding homeless services.
In the past, Jan has been a tireless advocate for SLO residents, and we need her now more than ever. I hope you’ll join me in voting for Jan Marx.
Matt Ritter, San Luis Obispo
Vote yes on SLO sales tax
What’s the scariest question any San Luis Obispo resident can ask themselves during this election season? The answer: What will our city look like without the passage of Measure G-20?
Here’s the beauty of SLO city’s proposed Measure G-20: There’s no downside to it — unless it fails. The impending massive cuts we will see in city services if Measure G-20 fails are incomprehensible. Vacant public safety positions, dirty parks and roads with potholes are just the start.
Here’s why I am voting for Measure G-20: First, it’s an increase in sales tax of only a penny on the dollar. Second, historically roughly 70% of the tax will be paid by visitors to the city, so residents and businesses don’t have to shoulder the whole burden. Third, the city administration has a solid track record with previous tax measures of being transparent and accountable, and for spending wisely guided by citizen oversight. Fourth, I’m voting yes as a way to ensure our city remains healthy and vibrant for my children and my grandchildren. SLO City voters, please join me in voting yes for Measure G-20.
Ron Yukelson, San Luis Obispo
Vote no on sales tax measures
The opinion piece on San Luis Obispo’s Measure G-20 is long on empty words and short on facts. First off, there is no guarantee that any of this tax increase will go to any of the services mentioned. Once collected, the money will be mixed into the general fund and spent the way the council dictates.
But that isn’t the basic fundamental flaw in this proposed measure. We have all suffered from the financial impacts caused by COVID-19 an have been forced into making financial decisions to keep our heads above water. We have cut spending, re-evaluated spending priorities and disrupted normal family routines. Why can’t the City do the same?
Why is it that every financial impact or shortfall faced by the city is answered with a tax/fee increase? Why do they always threaten us with less service if we don’t comply?
The city should tighten its belt, just as we have had to. They should adjust their own budgets to match their income, just as we have had to do. As for G-20, until the city shows us specific cost saving measures to meet the decline in revenues, I encourage everyone to Vote NO on this measure. As for the other cities in the county, the same encouragement is offered.
L.G. Gibson, San Luis Obispo
Vote for Harmon
In these chaotic times, we need experienced local leaders who have a proven track record of supporting marginalized populations and small businesses, long-term residents and students, children and elders.
We need leaders who are willing to have the difficult conversations needed to care for the earth and find a path forward in support of all humanity. Nobody knows all of the answers, but wise leaders surround themselves with wise advisors. We need electeds who lead from the heart, do their homework and make room at the table for everyone. That’s why I’m voting to reelect San Luis Obipso Mayor Heidi Harmon.
Donna Helete, San Luis Obispo
Marx offers experienced leadership
During difficult social and economic times it is important to have leaders whose experience and temperament can be trusted. That’s why I was so encouraged to see Jan Howell Marx put her name forward for one of two open positions on SLO City Council. I’ve known Jan for some decades and hold her in the highest respect as a thoughtful and knowledgeable leader who has always had our community’s best interest at heart. A former city councilmember and mayor, Jan knows our city, and its history, intimately. As an attorney and dean of SLO College of Law she knows the law and the intricacies of public policy. I hope you’ll join me and vote for Jan in November.
Sam Blakeslee, San Luis Obispo
This story was originally published October 8, 2020 at 11:05 AM.