Sen. Bill Monning: Katcho ‘looked upon by all as a man who voted his conscience’
San Luis Obispo County and the state of California lost a great man this week. With the death of former assembly member and supervisor Katcho Achadjian, we lost a true public servant who lived a principled life dedicated to the people he represented and the community he loved.
I had the honor of serving with Katcho in the state Assembly and during my tenure in the state Senate. Katcho was a Republican, I am a Democrat. We became friends, worked together on legislation to serve the community we both represented, and relied upon our friendship and mutual respect to guide us through our political differences and disagreements.
During our overlapping tenure in the Assembly, Katcho was looked upon by all as a man who voted his conscience. As a result, his votes were sometimes unpredictable as he took his job and his vote seriously. He weighed the options, but viewed all issues through the lens of what he felt was best for the district he represented and the people he loved.
After Katcho was termed-out of the Assembly, we saw each other at SLO County events and occasionally in the capital. He worked with students at Cal Poly to develop legislation that I carried to provide prospective students with information on the actual costs of their education including housing and related costs. He brought some Cal Poly students to Sacramento to testify in support of the bill. Even as a former member, Katcho continued to be an exemplary role model for students demonstrating the best qualities of a public servant.
During his tenure in the Assembly, Katcho attracted a quality group of staff members who projected his respect for others and were highly dedicated to Katcho and his constituents.
I will remember Katcho Achadjian as a kind and decent man, a man who drew his inspiration for public service from his boundless love for his family and his love for the people he represented. California has lost a dedicated public servant. May Katcho’s spirit live with all those he served and with the many, many people who loved him.
State Sen. Bill Monning represents California’s 17th Senate District, including all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties and parts of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.