2 out of 5 city council candidates would replace city manager
Moderator Bob Fonarow, from left, Pam Avila, Steve Gregory, John Hamon, Duane Picanco, Jim Reed and Steve Martin.
Two of the five candidates running for the Paso Robles City Council said they are in favor of replacing City Manager Jim App. The question about support for the current city manager was one of three questions asked at a candidates forum Thursday at the Paso Robles Rotary Club.
Paso Robles City Manager Jim App
Candidates Jim Reed and Pam Avila said Paso Robles is ready for a change in management. “He’s done a good job, but now it’s time for new leadership,” Avila said. She went on to say that a manager can successfully bring an organization up to a certain level but then hit a plateau. City management has plateaued, she said. Reed was harsher in his criticism and said that App has been at the helm long enough.
Three other candidates, City Councilman John Hamon, Mayor Duane Picanco, and city planning commissioner Steve Gregory, voiced their support for App, saying he is doing a good job. Mayoral candidate Steve Martin voiced support for App, but called for “a stronger council to give better direction to the city manager.”
App has served as the city manager of Paso Robles for 18 years. He acts as the CEO of all city government, which includes about 185 full-time employees and 98 seasonal employees. The city council serves as the city’s board of directors.
Forum moderator Bob Fonarow asked the candidates how they would go about filling the seat that will be vacated when current City Councilman Steve Martin is elected mayor. Martin is running unopposed and the council can appoint someone to fill his seat or call for a new election. The candidates ruled out a new election as wasteful.
Picanco and Hamon said they are leaning toward the third-highest vote getter in the Nov. 4 election. The top two vote getters will earn seats on the council. “Whoever gets the third most votes would weigh in my consideration,” Hamon said. Avila and Reed firmly said they support the third-highest vote getter be appointed to the seat. Gregory and Martin agreed on the third-highest vote getter unless the third and fourth candidates are very close.
The candidates were asked if they thought the city is planning well for water and development. The candidates were all in agreement that the city is well-prepared to supply water to residents and future developments.
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