Atascadero Planning Commissioner announces bid for city council
–Atascadero Planning Commissioner Charles Bourbeau has announced that he will seek a seat on the Atascadero City Council in the upcoming November election. Bourbeau has filed a Candidate Intention Statement with the city clerk and submitted a statement of organization to the state.
Charles Bourbeau.
Bourbeau spent a 30 year career as a full time California Army National Guard officer, culminating as a colonel responsible for financial management, logistics, and federal contracting throughout the state. After retiring from the guard, Bourbeau spent a year as Finance Director for the City of San Luis Obispo. Bourbeau’s past experience includes serving on the Atascadero City Council 1987-88 when he was appointed to a vacancy after being elected Atascadero City Treasurer in 1986.
Since retiring in 2012, Bourbeau has been involved in a wide variety of volunteer activities in Atascadero and the North County including:
- Police department volunteer responsible for graffiti abatement.
- Board of Directors for RISE (North County Women’s Shelters and Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Programs).
- Volunteer for Loaves and Fishes
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and mentor for foster youth
- Member, Atascadero Rotary Club, president elect for 2017-18
- Adopt a Road litter pickup for Monterey Road
- Atascadero Land Preservation Society volunteer, trail work and building signs
- Life member, Atascadero Historical Society
“My participation in various activities around the community has reinforced to me what a great community we live in and how much we can get done when we work together,” said Bourbeau.
“Sometimes people are single issue candidates. I’m not running because I am opposed to any incumbent or any issue. I am truly interested in the whole range of issues the council deals with. I’m simply interested in good government.“
Bourbeau added, “Two of my priorities will be prudent financial management and focusing on streamlining local regulations to attract more business and make it easier for local businesses to grow. We need more jobs in the Atascadero so that fewer residents will be hitting the freeway to go to work and spend their dollars elsewhere. Part of prudent financial management means ensuring we spend on long-term needs like maintaining our infrastructure, in particular, our roads.”
“Charles’ experience and involvement in the community make him extremely knowledgeable and well prepared to be a member of the City Council,” said Barbie Butz, a long-time Atascaderp resident well known for her involvement in countless organizations in the community.
“I would consider it an honor to serve on the City Council of Atascadero,” said Bourbeau. “If elected, I will donate my council stipend to charitable causes in our community.”
Bourbeau and his wife Melissa first moved to Atascadero in 1985 when Melissa started her career as a teacher in Atascadero schools.
