Q & A

By Bret Heinemann

Character development and public trust. We all know Atascadero is a great place to live, visit conduct business, and that we have a positive attitude and values, but if we were to "survey" ourselves and come up with 3 core values this would reinforce to others our values and let them knnow we consider values like honesty, trust, perserverance, and responsibility as important.

Spirit of 45 Day. Another way of showing the importance of values and envuraging tourism is to acknowledge Spirit of 45 Day.

Imporved highways to get to Atascadero. This includes the work being done on Highway 101 and highway 41 east. The highway 41 east realignment project will save time, money and fuel consumption for those travel between the Central Coast and Central Valley.

2. What is your position on the current plans for the use of public funds to reconstruct the Historic City Hall?

Historically, the Rotunda building was our veteran's memorial building prior to the incorporation of Atascadero.

The decision to reconstruct the historic Rotunda building has already been made by the city council. There are a lot of us who are concerned with the cost. if the damage had been minor it wouldn't be an issue nor would if be if the building had been completely destroyed.

The current location of the city's offices are more convenient and accessible to the public.

3. Do you support the use of Redevelopment Agency Funds to assist in private development in the agency boundaries such as the $1.5 million loan guarantee for the Colony Square project and give reasons?

In this case I do, because there were not a lot options. The alternative being to let the uncompleted Colony Square project remain uncompleted until eventually finished. This would have resulted in negative attitudes directed at the city and business.

4. What plans would you support and implement to establish a strong economic base for Atascadero and give examples of your plans?

The re-alignment of highway 41 east of the city. This will benefit Atascadero and the county by reducing transit time between the central valley and central coast and promote business and encourage travel By saving time, energy and money.

To encourage a positive attitude, a value survey would focus the community on three core values and let everyone who is not from Atascadero know that character and values are important to us.

A performing arts center which would attr act people. Whether this will be built and operated by private business or a public agency like Atascadero Unified School District and where it should be has to be determined.

With real estate prices lower, it's time to review city polices on low income housing.

5. What changes if any would you make in the current budget policy and procedures, please give examples?

It is good to review policies and procedures every few years even if there are no specific ideas to modify them. However, let us remember that changing budget policies and procedures will not create a balanced budget for those who are concerned about it and with a rating of AA- Atascadero is doing pretty good.

If we need to trim more to balance the budget it would be wise to cut a little equally from everything so that no one city department of program suffers excessively.

6. Do you approve of the direction being followed by the current city council and city staff in regards to supporting the business community, please provide examples?

Yes, the waiver of the fee for oversize signs in April of this year had strong public support and provides all businesses in Atascadero to opportunity or add a larger sign/murals without additional fees should they choose to do so.

The city also adopted revisions to the building permit process on September 14, 2010 designed to make the process easier, user friendly and relevant for current needs.

Atascaderp Unified School District Questions and Issues.

1. What community organizations, groups, or individuals support/endorse your campaign?

I am funding my campaign. This does two things. First, it allows me to concentrate on the issues, goals and needs of education instead of others who may have agendas of their own. Secondly, it encourages me to keep expenditures under control.

2. What do you see as the strengths of AUSD? The number one strengths are all of the employees and students. That is, the school district is only as good as those who make it up.

3. What do you see as the challenges facing AUSD? The budget since it's hard to concentrate on education with financial uncertainties. This is not all the school districts fault, because the State of California and our national government have worse budget problems.

It would be wise for AUSD to develop additional sources of income at the local level which would benefit both itself and the community.

The good news is character education is always free, because we can't purchase or reward people to have good values like honesty, integrity, perseverance, and trust. Neither does C. E. require us to do anything except thing about how we do everything else.

4. Based on your responses to questions 2 and 3, what are the major goals you wish to accomplish as a member of the Board of Trustees?

Yes, it would be nice to see the financial health of the Atascadero Unified School District improve, but as important it would be great if all of the employees and students would continue to develop moral intelligence to maintain life long healthy conscience.

It's been said that when it comes down to it the one thing in life that is truly ours is our values and that if we sell those out then what do we have left?

The school district in conjunction with the communities of Atascadero, Carrisa Plains, Creston and Santa Margarita could someday with enough volunteers conduct a value survey to determine what are the 3 common core values of the area. This would let us all focus on what we have in common instead of differences.

The city of Atascadero is in the process of completing a master plan for pedestrian and bicycle routes in the city.