Atascadero native challenges incumbent mayor
Nicholas Mattson challenges Tom O’Malley in three-candidate race
Nicholas Mattson.
–Local sports editor and community advocate Nicholas Mattson challenges for position of Mayor of City of Atascadero in a three-candidate race with incumbent Tom O’Malley and local Ann Ketcherside.
“Being born and raised on a large parcel in Atascadero, I have seen the city grow up over the last 37 years,” Mattson said. “I’m concerned with what next steps we will take as a community and what that will mean 20 years down the road. It is a crucial time to make the right decision.”
Mattson has worked in management and journalism in Atascadero, and says he has a real sense of the community in Atascadero, from children and young families to retirees and veterans.
“I’ve watched the city closely for 10 years, and I’ve seen the direction we are headed,” Mattson said. “I don’t want to wait another two years to start developing an industry that will be a viable option for our kids’ future. My main concern is our quality of life, and there is a fine balance to preserving or improving that quality of life while bringing in businesses that will provide jobs to our local residents. We can’t rely on big retail, tourism, or tax money to suffice our needs. We need an export that provides jobs for professionals above the median income.”
At 37 years old, Mattson says he brings a high level of enthusiasm to the race, as well as innovative ideas to increase Atascadero’s economic viability through the next generations.
Following high school graduation, Mattson spent five years working in Las Vegas and two years in Mammoth Lakes. He says he found a passion for politics working with a campaign management firm in Las Vegas, where he developed his ability to converse across cultural differences and partisan lines to make sense of subjects that mattered to local voters.
When Mattson returned home to Atascadero in 2006, he said he saw a growing city that was in need of unity and direction.
“In contrast to the seven years of large-scale development in Las Vegas and also Mammoth Lakes, I saw that Atascadero still held a small town charm where people were friendly and genuine to total strangers,” Mattson said. “I immediately wanted to help preserve that culture, and help prepare Atascadero for the future. We are a unique community, but we can lose our character to muddied water if we don’t protect it.”
In 2009, Mattson began what he calls a “love affair with public service,” and spent eight years dedicated to nonprofit service. Meanwhile, he continued his education and studied real estate.
Getting married to his high school sweetheart, Hayley, and having their first child in 2012, Mattson postponed his education and returned to work, taking his current job with the Atascadero News as the sports editor, and continuing his work with local nonprofits — taking positions with the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation and Atascadero Colony Days Committee, as well a volunteering for Friends of the Atascadero Library’s Dancing With Our Stars for three years running, co-founding the Atascadero Printery Foundation, and volunteering for RISE.
“Atascadero means the world to me,” Mattson said. “From the orange and grey of the Greyhounds, to our annual parade, there are pieces of this city that stuck with me and I want to give that to my own kids.”
Mattson is the father of two boys, Mirac, 4, and Maximus, 2, and a 12-year old stepdaughter Elle, and his concern for their future, 20 years down the line, he says was a turning point in his decision to run for office. “It is something I feel I had to do,” Mattson said, “because we seem to be ignoring a real opportunity.”
Mattson and his wife Hayley, with their two boys, Mirac, 4, and Maximus, 2, and 12-year old stepdaughter Elle.
Stated goals include strengthening tech industry, boosting economic growth
Mattson believes that the tech industry, specifically in terms of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), is a viable solution to Atascadero’s economic vacancies. By developing an infrastructure that makes Atascadero a top candidate for entrepreneurs in the tech industry to locate their businesses, he believes that will provide an economic boost — provide local jobs, stimulate local economy, produce an export in digital services and expertise, and maintain or raise the median income.
“Retail and restaurant developments will certainly generate much-needed economy,” Mattson said, “but we need to plan for balance and raising the standard for resident professionals and young adults who will raise families here. We need part-time and entry-level jobs, but we need an export. We need to create jobs and training centers for our high school and college graduates. If we are willing to invest in Walmart, we should be willing to invest in our future professionals. Somebody just needs to think it, say it, and do it.”
Other key components of responsible government are efficiency, government accountability, and customer service, he says.
“Whenever a resident of Atascadero walks into city hall, they should feel like they are working with a partner,” Mattson said. “Whether it is a future small business owner, future resident, or someone planning an event in the community. Customer service should never be a sore subject between the staff and the citizens. Our small business owners and residents are too important to our local economy.”
Preserving the quality of life in Atascadero means caution when talking about taxes, property rights, regulations, or increasing traffic — every choice should reflect more for the residents and reduction in obligatory spending or regulation, he says.
“We need to optimize city resources to improve the quality of life for residents and business owners of Atascadero,” Mattson said. “With every photo we publish of what the city is doing right, we need to remind taxpayers that we understand and address solutions to the problems that face Atascadero’s future generations.”
In what he describes as a critical time in the preservation of Atascadero’s character, Mattson says he offers new ideas and the energy to make them a reality.
“We have a great community with so much to love — our schools, public services, our nature, and our people,” Mattson said. “I would not want to live anywhere else. I want to keep it that way. We have so much to offer future generations, and with proper planning we can provide that. I would be honored to serve Atascadero in such a manner.”
Mattson can be reached at (805) 466-4086, or by email at [email protected].
