I learned incumbent San Luis Obispo County 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton is a small business owner and challenger Jimmy Paulding is an attorney with a degree in city and regional planning from Cal Poly.
Compton spoke of her accomplishments on the Board of Supervisors but was very vague about current needs and goals other than avoiding things with a price tag, especially if it means higher fees for small businesses. She spoke of working with the current sheriff to obtain better mental health services at the jail. I was not impressed with this as I feel this is a case of “too little, too late.”
Paulding had many specific goals, such as addressing our environmental issues to deal with climate change. He does not want fracking or oil rigs on our coastline.
When they were asked how the board could work together better, Compton did not feel this was possible, noting that one of the board members is “mentally ill.” (Wow!) Paulding stated that a collaborative approach is his strong point. Compton wanted your vote in order to maintain a 3-2 advantage on the board, which I suspect contributes to their current dysfunction and polarizing.
At one point Compton condescendingly referred to Paulding as a “good kid” (Wow, again).
On character alone, I would give Paulding an A and Compton a C-minus.
Marvin Gross
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in May 17-27, 2018.
The best thing anyone can do to bring balance, respect and decorum to our County Board of Supervisors is to elect Jimmy Paulding. He is competent, has common sense and real world work experience that is a perfect fit for the job. Lynn Compton, not so much.
Anyone on the fence as to who to vote for need only meet Mr. Paulding and you will be reassured that he is the best choice. Compton had her chance. Now its time to elect a modern politician who has the ideas and attitude and skills to unify our community and get work done, regardless of party affiliation. There are plenty of good reasons that both Republicans and Democrats are coming together to support Paulding. Compton does not have that bi-partisan support that is needed now more than ever. It’s now Paulding’s time to show what he can do for our people.
Lynn Compton’s arrogance and condescending attitude is over the top. For her to call her 32-year-old challenger a “good kid” is as rude as calling a 50-something year old female politician “a nice old lady.”
If Compton treats a 32-year-old man like a child, imagine her attitude toward men and women in their twenties!
Unscrupulous behind-the-scene lobbyists are dreading the possibility that an honest, forthright and competent modern leader will be elected to the board.