Supervisorial candidates tackle critical issues at debate
District One candidates Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin, Paso Robles City Councilman John Hamon, Paso Robles retired attorney Dale Gustin, and political strategist John Peschong of Templeton.
Public safety and affordable housing priorities for district one candidates
–On Wednesday, Apr. 27, about 100 people attended a forum for the four candidates running for District One of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, which encompasses all of Paso Robles, all of San Miguel and part of Templeton. The forum held at the Park Ballroom, was hosted by the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association and moderated by Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Superintendent Chris Williams.
On the ballot leading up to the June 7 primary are Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin, Paso Robles City Councilman John Hamon, Paso Robles retired attorney Dale Gustin, and political strategist John Peschong of Templeton. Frank Mecham is the current supervisor and is not seeking re-election.
The audience had an opportunity to submit questions in writing before the forum. The main issues debated included overstaffing in the county and salaries, proposed Paso Robles water district, public safety with a focus on issues relating to gang activity, affordable housing, jobs, transportation, climate change and marijuana dispensaries.
During the debate Hamon said that he would look at making the board more efficient to get business done, and said his primary concern for the area was public safety. “The gang issue is very prevalent, we want to fight fire with fire in that department,” he said. “We also need to look at mental health and support that where needed…and fostering city hood.” Hamon said affordable housing came down to fees and a look at workforce housing on ranches was important while controlling the structure through the county.
“There is no question public safety is our number one priority,” said Martin. “Long term we need to look at sub stations, and we need to get north and south county mayors together to talk about addressing public safety.” Martin said they are making progress on the issue of affordable housing but need to streamline that strategy and we need to cultivate jobs in the area and fix roads.
Gustin said he had attended a wide range of committee and council meetings in his time in the area. “I am concerned with how the city council spends their money,” he said. “There is too much government waste…There is no number one priority we need to look at housing, jobs and public safety…We need to look at the economy and creating jobs as this is what will make the north county great,” he said. He said that the affordable housing issue broke down into two areas low income housing and workforce housing and that they need to spend time investigating both to make it achievable.
Peschong said we need to look at the county government and see if it is staffed properly. He said public safety was a priority, and spoke of gang issues within the area and drugs. He said the issue had become personal for him and it was very important to look to the Sheriff’s office and gang task force and support the needs of the county to control the situation. “My goal is to reduce gang activity and drug use in the county,” he said. “Public safety is job number one for the board of supervisors.” In relation to affordable housing issues we need to look at the reduction of fees, he said.
District One of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, which encompasses all of Paso Robles, all of San Miguel and most of Templeton.
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