Proactively protect and enchance our Quality of Life and promote a thriving, green local economy

By Jan Marx

San Luis Obispo's quality of life is the key to our economic vitality.

This is a personal goal too. Besides serving as elected official, I have volunteered in many ways, such as preserving open space, supporting bicycle trails, and serving on non profit boards, such as the Temporary Restraining Order clinic, CAP-SLO and ECOSLO.

San Luis Obispo is distinguished by its very high quality of life, and this must be protected and enhanced, if we are to continue to attract non-polluting businesses and retain a strong community base of permanent residents. We must conserve our resources, human, economic, environmental, cultural and historical, complete our greenbelt and promote a vibrant Downtown.

I believe San Luis Obispo must maintain its position as the county's commercial and economic center. I have always supported small businesses and workforce housing. I have long advocated sustainability and principles of smart growth, and I will work hard to help the local economy gain headway and become a leader in green and high tech business.

I propose a green business and high tech zone, bringing the highest speed broadband internet here, working with the business community and Cal Poly to create a new incubation facility to help innovative Poly graduates stay in the area. We must keep improving our city's quality of life, to keep attracting mid size businesses and highly productive remotely operated or home businesses to our area.

We must encourage businesses that are good for the community" is financially vigorous, non-polluting and owned by civic minded individuals. The city's role includes listening to all sides of an issue, enhancing quality of life, keeping infrastructure well maintained, improving policies to encourage existing businesses and a vital downtown, facilitating work force housing, and making city processes more "user-friendly."

This city also plays a significant regional role. Where our interests coincide, I believe we must be a good neighbor and work with other jurisdictions. This is especially true, with the new state environmental regulations and budget short falls. Because of my ability to handle complex regional issues, council has appointed me to represent the city on the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, San Luis Obispo Regional Transportation Agency and the Air Pollution Control District, roles usually given to the Mayor.