A Leader Who Listens

By John B. Ashbaugh

At this pivotal time in the history of our community, San Luis Obispo needs leaders with open eyes, open ears, and open hearts - Leaders Who Listen

One: this is a historic moment in the life of this community. This year, this month, this week, even today, decisions are being made that will forever affect where we live, how we live and why we live in San Luis Obispo. This pivotal moment, this turning point, will determine the future of our city.

Two: it is moments like this that we most need LEADERS who LISTEN to the voters. I'll be that type of leader.

I've been hearing a lot about three major issues in this election:

o First, about the difficult budget choices that we must make + the economic and fiscal instability we're facing, and what we must do about it...

o Second, about growth and managing our natural resources = about launching a long-overdue update of our general plan... even as the current city council proceeds with a massive annexation of open space that would undermine the consensus such a plan requires...

o Third, I'm hearing a lot of concern about the potential loss of our historic role as the "center of the Central Coast" - the center for air transportation, for business, for retailing and for cultural events.

Any one of these issues would be huge in any one election cycle, but together they are momentous.

It will take experience, commitment, and most importantly an ability to listen in order to achieve what we all want: A strong economy with a vibrant downtown core; a compact city that is growing within acceptable limits, guided by an up-to-date general plan with broad community support; and a San Luis Obispo restored to its role as the shining model for the Central Coast. I have the experience, the commitment and the proven ability to listen, so necessary to move us forward at this historic turning point.

ECONOMIC AND BUDGET CHALLENGES We're facing a deteriorating budget situation that results from a number of factors: A stagnant national economy crippled by the worst housing finance crisis in our nation's history...A State Legislature that is unable to deliver their budget on time (nothing new there)... An unfavorable ruling by the arbitrator in the contract with our police force... Property values and home sales continuing to fall... Retail sales that are flat, at best... Our 2007-2009 budget is facing steep cuts, some of which will be painful.

But times of crisis are also times of opportunity. Even in these turbulent times, we can renew our community by building upon our successes -- without sacrificing what is good in our community.

If we listen carefully, we'll keep faith with the voters who supported our ½-cent sales tax hike in 2006, respecting the priorities that THEY told us were important to them, both then and now.

If we are genuinely listening, we can make tough choices but keep intact important investments like street paving, seismic safety, and infrastructure repairs wherever possible.

If we have leaders who listen, we'll strengthen our local economy by improving support for our Economic Development office, by encouraging entrepreneurs to invest here and to expand here.

GUIDING OUR GROWTH

This is also the time to reach for the future. We can make San Luis Obispo a model of superior planning. The city needs to update the general plan, now 20 years out of date - but as we do let's be sure to include the community in the process, especially the residents of this city. And let's not prematurely annex open space land, compromising a new plan before it even gets off the ground. Our new general plan must commit to sustainable development that incorporates mixed uses, infill housing, green buildings and landscapes and a variety of transportation modes. Any new general plan in California must also commit to specific measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I'm convinced that we can and MUST do that.

If we listen to the talented people we have right here in town, San Luis Obispo will continue to be known as a community that protects our quality of life, our rich heritage of historic buildings, and our unique character.

MAINTAINING OUR REGIONAL ROLE

Sometimes we get too complacent here in San Luis Obispo -- we congratulate ourselves each time we're named one of the "top 10 dream towns." There are danger signs out there: Recently, UCSB economists recommended that the regional airport be moved to Santa Maria or Paso Robles. The AMGEN Bicycle Tour is skipping San Luis Obispo in 2009 - it's going to Paso Robles. San Luis Obispo is the natural regional leader for the county, and to lose that position would be wrong.

What I'm hearing out there is that we need this city to stand up for the airport -- to work with the County, the Economic Vitality Corporation, and the business community to restore scheduled airline services that we've lost recently.

The council also needs to listen to the local arts community, to seniors, to those who use our parks and recreation programs, and to those who promote our community to visitors. They're telling us that we must protect and enhance the amenities that shape our quality of life and make San Luis Obispo attractive not only to visitors but to businesses, professionals, retirees, students, and families to this community.

We should make sure our city keeps pace with regional and national trends. In fact, we should be setting the pace. We should, in short, be making history.

Be a part of that SLO history. Vote for me, John Ashbaugh and you vote for a strong economy, you vote for acceptable growth within an updated general plan, and you vote to keep SLO the regional center of the county.

I will be a councilman who is thoughtful and honest with moderate political views. I know how this City works, and I bring 30 years of active community leadership to the Council. I will not be an obstructionist, but nor will I be a rubber stamp. I will be open-minded, and be a leader who listens. Thank YOU for listening.