The Ryan-Blakely Rematch Will Determine the Balance of Power on the Board of Supervisors in a One-Round, Winner-Take-All Bout
BY STEVEN T. JONES
Three seats on the Board of Supervisors will be contested in the March 7 election, but only one of those seats seems to matter for voters concerned about the high-stakes issue of growth.
The District 5 rematch between incumbent Supervisor Mike Ryan and the man he unseated four years ago, David Blakely, has all the makings of a watershed event.
This is the race that could shift the balance of power on the Board of Supervisors at a time when growth has taken center stage on the public agenda. A Blakely victory would transform a generally pro-growth body into one with a solidly slow-growth approach.
Blakely generally favors funneling most growth into urbanized areas to combat sprawl, while Ryan believes growth patterns should be left up to the free market and private property rights.
Because there are only two candidates in the race, the seat will be determined in the primary.
Neither the District 1 or District 3 races are likely to alter the ideological makeup of the board in any fundamental way, unless newcomer Dean DiSandro upsets three-term District 1 incumbent Harry Ovitt in the strongly Republican and pro-growth North County district.
"In all likelihood, [District 5] is the race that will determine the majority makeup on the Board of Supervisors," said Pat Veesart, director of the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County. "A win by Blakely will shift it to a more progressive slant, whereas a win by Ryan will reinforce the status quo."
That's why the various interests concerned about growth are pouring an unprecedented amount of money into the District 5 battle.
As of Jan. 22, the ending date of the most recent campaign finance statements, Blakely has raised $96,237, compared to the $91,214 Ryan has received in the last year. With a month and a half to go, this is already the most expensive campaign in county history.
By contrast, the five candidates vying for the District 1 and District 3 seats on the board have raised a combined total of $56,408, led by District 3 incumbent Peg Pinard with her $35,129 take (which included, like Blakely, a $10,000 donation from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association).
For Veesart and many other environmentalists, the status quo would mean a continuation of the rapid-growth policies that they say are having detrimental impacts on the area's environment, natural resources, and quality of life.
"I believe the policies Mike Ryan is pursuing create urban sprawl," said San Luis Obispo City Councilwoman Jan Howell Marx who, with her husband, has contributed $750 to the Blakely campaign.
Both Marx and Veesart point to Ryan's approval of Alex Madonna's Home Depot project on the edge of San Luis Obispo as a slap in the face to city residents, who comprise nearly half of District 5 voters.
"We need a supervisor for District 5 who cares about the people who live in the city of San Luis Obispo and will listen to them," Marx said.
Similarly, those who believe growth is the key to economic prosperity in the county also believe Ryan is the candidate in this race who will listen to them.
"I feel Ryan represents a group that wants this area to not slam the door [on growth] and feel Mr. Blakely and his crowd would like to shut the door and put a bolt on it," said AC Woodruff, a retired Pismo Beach resident who serves as treasurer of the conservative Lincoln Club of San Luis Obispo County, which contributed $2,500 to Ryan.
Woodruff believes Ryan's election in 1996 fundamentally changed the direction of the Board of Supervisors, ushering in a period of growth that he believes is healthy and will create opportunities for young people to remain in the area.
"The switch was made, and it's a matter of whether you can keep it that way," Woodruff said of the District 5 race.
Ned Thompson of Filipponi & Thompson Drilling gave Ryan $600 (and his wife, Connie, gave another $700) largely because of his concern that Blakely would restrict growth too much.
"It's the swing vote on the Board of Supervisors, whether you like the direction that Ryan is going, or the way Blakely did things," Thompson said.
While the supporters of Blakely and Ryan differ in their perspectives on growth, all agree that the issue will decide this race. In fact, many factors seem to indicate growth will be the pivotal issue in this election year.
A set of slow-growth ballot measures headed for the November ballot–the Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources or SOAR initiatives–have garnered significant popular and financial support, pulling in about $50,000 in donations so far.
The measures would require voter approval for many zoning changes or the expansion of current urban boundaries of cities. Some supporters of SOAR see such a direct democracy tool as the only way of slowing the county's rapid recent growth rate.
San Luis Obispo County hit its 2.3 percent annual growth cap for the first time last year, a reflection of both the hot economy and the county's approval of several controversial development projects in recent years.
Some high-profile projects have also triggered a siege mentality by slow-growth advocates, who believe that Ryan and company are now of the verge of permanently diminishing the county's bucolic quality of life, especially in fast-growing areas like Nipomo.
Ryan's voting record and rhetorical style have opened him up to charges of pro-growth extremism, leaving many with the impression that he gives developers whatever they want, no matter what the public cost.
Ryan has led the way in approving projects like the 1,020-home Woodlands on the Nipomo Mesa, despite evidence there isn't enough water, and commercial projects on the edge of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo that were opposed by those city councils.
Ironically, difficulty in overcoming charges of being too anti-growth was one factor that caused Blakely's defeat four years ago. Yet the political climate appears to have changed considerably during the last four years of rapid growth.
Ryan's election four years ago ushered in the most pro-growth period since the boom of the late ’80s, as Ryan joined supervisors Harry Ovitt and Ruth Brackett in approving many large and controversial projects and relaxing development standards.
For example, the board angered many in Los Osos when it renewed the approvals for developer Ron Holland's large residential project and then ignored county staff recommendations in waiving about $500,000 in fees associated with the project.
Holland last month donated $1,000 to the Ryan campaign, while Alex Hinds–who resigned last year as SLO County planning director to take the top spot in Marin County–has given $225 to the Blakely campaign.
The Board of Supervisors' unqualified support for growth was moderated slightly two years ago when Supervisor Katcho Achadjian was elected to the 4th District seat vacated by Brackett. Achadjian is basically pro-growth, but has shown himself to be an independent-minded swing vote, differing with Ryan and Ovitt on a few high-profile votes.
Supervisors Peg Pinard and Shirley Bianchi have proven themselves to be reliable slow-growth votes, often ending up on the wrong end of 3-2 votes on development projects over the last two years.
Both Blakely and Ryan have taken steps to rhetorically moderate their growth stances with swing voters: Blakely by saying he will listen to all sides and that he supports quality development projects, Ryan by claiming a "dedication to balancing economic, social and environmental needs."
Yet the two approach growth and development issues in fundamentally different ways, as was illustrated during their live debate on KVEC radio last week.
When questioned about the rapid growth rate the county has seen under his tenure, Ryan claims it hasn't been as bad as some perceive: "I don't know that we're growing at a staggering rate."
In fact, he said, the fact that the county hit its growth cap last year and stopped issuing building permits shows "we have tools in place to control growth."
Blakely disagreed, saying the public is concerned about the number of large projects approved by the Board of Supervisors and how such development patterns will slowly erase the rural stretches between cities.
"I believe the public outcry about the SOAR initiatives is a symptom of a problem," Blakely said.
Blakely supports SOAR's aim of discouraging the development of agricultural and open-space lands in county jurisdiction, and he took issue with Ryan's approval of Alex Madonna's construction of a Home Depot on SLO's city border.
"I would have never supported the development of Froom Ranch over the objections of the city of San Luis Obispo," Blakely said.
Ryan defended that action and other projects on rural county lands by saying, "There are property rights, and people who own property have rights on that property."
Blakely countered by saying the only development rights property owners have are those outlined by their zoning and other county policies and that Ryan has repeatedly favored the interests of developers over those of the community.
"In many instances, the community values are not being heard," Blakely said, later adding, "I want the people to feel like government is open to anybody, not just the special interests who donate big money to campaigns."
Yet Ryan denies that his support from the development community means he doesn't listen to slow-growth concerns.
"I never turn down an appointment with anybody who wants to come in and speak with me," Ryan said. "I've been very accessible and will continue to be very accessible."
Ryan said growth and a private sector that is unfettered by government interference are the keys to this county's economic vitality: "I'm looking to the future," he said.
But Blakely said a future of rapid growth will poison what is unique about this area: "The natural beauty of San Luis Obispo County is the single most important factor of economic development."
Their differences on the growth issue are reflected in their lists of supporters. Most of Ryan's supporters are from the land development industry and agriculture (farmers, particularly vineyards operators, have benefited from Ryan's laissez faire votes).
By contrast, the most common occupation listed by Blakely contributors is "retired," while he also enjoys considerable support from Cal Poly professors and environmentalists.
The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association has poured more money into local campaigns than any other single entity, giving $10,000 each to Blakely and Pinard, money raised from member dues.
The individual who has been throwing around the most money in this election cycle is millionaire developer-turned-publisher David Weyrich.
After selling billboard company Martin Media (which is co-owned with Tom Martin, his brother-in-law) for $610 million, Weyrich has become one of the county's most high-profile developers, pursuing large projects in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, and unincorporated areas.
He also used his fortune to last year open a string of direct-mail newspapers–Paso Robles Gazette, Atascadero Gazette, and San Luis Obispo Gazette–with two more Gazettes opening this year in the Five Cities area and the North Coast.
Weyrich has so far given $2,000 to Ryan and another $2,000 to the conservative Lincoln Club of San Luis Obispo County, which turned around and contributed $2,500 to Ryan.
In addition, Weyrich recently cut a check for $2,750 to the Cal Poly College Republicans, giving the student club more money than they've seen in years. Cal Poly and many student neighborhoods are in District 5.
The young Republicans have used Weyrich's money to fund an aggressive campaign for Ryan, holding pro-Ryan barbecues and other get-out-the-student-vote efforts.
As a side note, the club recently found itself embroiled in controversy after some of its members violated school policy by covering the campus with copies of club President Tamas Simon's Feb. 3 commentary from the Mustang Daily, in which he attacked Blakely for past drug use and other "character" issues from his past.
Weyrich is just one of several developers on the list of Ryan supporters. Ron Holland of Holland Construction gave $1,000; Steven and Mary Ann Boneso of Boneso Construction gave $1,150; Andrew Charnley of Charnley & Gustason Development gave $1,200; and Ray Bunnell of Bunnell Construction gave $700.
Whitaker Contractors Inc. also used its contract with the Cuesta Grade Improvement Project to support Ryan, flashing pro-Ryan campaign messages on its roadside traffic advisory signs, equipment usually used for less political messages like "Construction Ahead, Merge Left."
Related industries that support development have also been big Ryan supporters. Karl and Cindy Wittstrom of Pearce Enterprises, which does underground utilities construction, gave Ryan $3,200; those associated with Filipponi & Thompson Drilling Co. have given Ryan $2,550; and Ole and Sandy Viborg of Viborg Sand & Gravel gave $750.
By contrast, most of Blakely's donations are smaller and from individuals not representing their business interests. His biggest donations have been $5,000 from state Sen. Jack O'Connell and $10,000 from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, while his only other donation larger than $1,000 came from SLO residents Ken Haggard and Polly Cooper, who gave Blakely $1,025.
District 5 includes the north side of San Luis Obispo, where Blakely has enjoyed the most support, and the North County communities of Atascadero, Creston, and Shandon, whose support swept Ryan into office.
In 1996, Ryan beat Blakely by 443 votes. Æ
Steven T. Jones is a New Times staff writer.