I endorse and call for votes to re-elect Heidi Harmon as mayor of SLO. She isn’t perfect and needs to learn to listen more to people, follow up on things, and get back to people when they contact her. She’s got good progressive instincts but I fear she’s fallen into being guided and advised by too many professional Democratic Party political hacks. One really bad move was having no question/answer/comment period at the end of the recent community meeting on homelessness in SLO. It was like a multi-politician/bureaucrat/talking head lecture presentation, not a good approach.
But compared to the ultra right-wing gadfly and NIMBY on steroids character running against her—Keith Gurnee—Harmon comes out looking very good indeed. With some important modifications in her approach, SLO needs the youthful and energetic vision of Heidi, not the old-line, elitist, gentry oriented, “get off my lawn” tone of Gurnee. I doubt he even really believes the things he says against development. I think he’s just using it to appeal to voters who pine for the SLO of the 1950s. It’s gone. Face it. Development must be sensible and not overpowering, but some development is inevitable and necessary.
Remember that Heidi only won in 2016 by 47 votes. It’s important for everyone with a progressive outlook to vote in this 2018 election—and for more than just the SLO mayor. There are many state issues and many candidates on the ballot.
Jim Griffin
SLO
This article appears in Sep 20-30, 2018.
Good grief!! The mayor is supposed to be for the city, it’s well being and for ALL their fellow residents. They should listen, discuss and be a voice for the people, not for a L or R agenda only! This is the most wishy washy spineless appeal for a vote I have ever heard. I, for one thinking person, would never vote for a supposed lessor of two evils on the premise that YOU doubt he believes what he says and then call him names. Nor for the other, through HOPE of some modifications, she will be ok? Good grief! Unfortunately, there are only two candidates. I am waiting to hear, and watching. Who is going to respect and listen all parties? Not name call. Nor throw tantrums when leading this city into a brighter future for all (That kind of behavior is a little too youthful). Still waiting…
Yes, vote for Mayor Harmon and Carlyn Christianson who annexed and approved two massive subdivisions located within significant flood plains and on prime agricultural land. A mayor and council member who voted for these massive high-end housing tracts while asking for the minimum (5%) amount of low income housing. Vote for a mayor and council member who voted to delay implementation of traffic improvements for both San Luis Ranch and Righetti Ranch. Vote for a mayor and council member who turned a deaf ear to residents opposing night hiking within our natural reserves, who turned a deaf ear to residents opposing unsafe traffic conditions at 22 Chorro and who ignored residents protests when nearly tripling our appeal fees. Vote for a mayor who initiated a discussion on reducing public comment from three minutes to a maximum of one minute.Vote for a mayor and council member who approved an update to our zoning regulations that will fast track projects through development review and up zone housing density in our neighborhoods. Vote for a mayor and council member who disregarded neighborhood appeals on the four-story 560 Chorro (Southtown 18) project and the six bars at 1144 Chorro. Vote for a council member who ignored the neighborhoods concerns regarding 71 Palomar. Vote for a mayor who approved the non-conforming black color palette for the Stalwork Building at 1135 Santa Rosa knowing that this color was applied to the building illegally. Vote for a mayor and council member who disregarded the Anholm Neighborhoods pleas to maintain street parking along Broad and Chorro Streets. And all of this in a mere two years! Or you could vote for Keith Gurnee, Sarah Flickenger and Jamie Lopes, all of whom are fighting for the protection of our neighborhoods and the preservation of what is left of our small town charm.