Seven Atascadero candidates make bid for office at forum
—By Jordan Elgrably
Jobs, water rights, Atascadero Printery topics of discussion
–Thursday night in the Atascadero City Council Chambers, three candidates for mayor including incumbent Tom O’Malley and four candidates for city council including incumbent Roberta Fonzi participated in a public forum, hosted by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. The affair was moderated by a Canadian, Ken Johnston, who reminded those present that since he was unable to vote in the November elections, he was an impartial guest of the proceedings.
Predictably, the two most discussed priorities were economic development and water rights, but mayoral challenger and grandmother Ann Ketcherside pressed hard for less bureaucracy and small business regulation, and more services for seniors. “I hear too many complaints about city hall,” she said, “and our fees are too high. Businesses are running away to Paso.”
Ketcherside also called for a major new senior center to be built.
While Mayor Tom O’Malley agreed that Atascadero could do more for its seniors, he made reference to his background in mental health administration and studies on depression when he countered that seniors shouldn’t be isolated from the general population. “I disagree with segregating folks,” he said. “You should have seniors mixed in with other generations, they do better.”
Sports editor Nicholas Mattson proved a strong challenger to O’Malley’s two-term reign when he articulated his proposal for bringing high wage tech jobs to the city and how he would remap city zoning. “I would separate El Camino Real into three separate districts,” he urged, “and push for industry and commercial zoning for the south side. Let’s look at the Portland model and scale it down to our size, have a medical zone, tech zone, finance zone. I wouldn’t interfere with residential areas. On the north side, north of San Anselmo, let’s look at that as our retail district.”
Mattson repeatedly described Atascadero “as the best place to live on the central coast,” but he voiced criticism of relying too much on tourism, suggesting that Atascadero already presents more than enough public events.
Mayor O’Malley, meanwhile, touted improved tourism. “For the first time in our history, tourism is growing, and it’s good for the economy.” The generally good-natured O’Malley added, “Our priority on the city side is to develop venues where you can hold events.”
Both Mattson and O’Malley are supportive of the Atascadero Printery revival project, which is now partnering with the Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee in hopes of transforming the old Printery building into a premiere arts destination and community center, although O’Malley insists the city can’t afford to fund it.
While Tom O’Malley has received the endorsement of The Tribune’s editorial board as “the best choice for mayor,” Mattson has received the endorsement of five previous Atascadero mayors. Their race for the office will likely intensify in the weeks ahead.
Of the new city council candidates making a bid to place outgoing Councilman Bob Kelley, city planning commissioner Charles Bourbeau came across as the most single-minded when it comes to what needs to be done—jobs, jobs, jobs.
“We have the same population as Paso Robles,” Bourbeau said. “But they have 17,000 jobs and we have only 10,000. If we had more jobs, that would bring more revenue to the city. The question is how can we attract that? We need high speed fiber optic connectivity to attract high wage jobs.”
Councilwoman Robert Fonzi shrugged off criticisms of Atascadero’s business regulations, and described herself as someone who strives for consensus. “Atascadero has always struggled with finances,” she said. “The reasons I’m running [again] are mainly I think it’s important to have someone on the council who is civil and has an open mind. And I want to keep Atascadero business-friendly.” She said that on the council, “We disagree occasionally, but we disagree agreeably.”
City council candidates Daniel J. Eister, a healthcare provider, and jack of all trades Bret Heinemann also weighed in on Atascadero job growth, without presenting specific plans.
“I want to make it easier for local businesses to receive the permits they need,” said Daniel Eister, “and I’d like to bring the human kindness aspect of healthcare to city government.” Bret Heinemann claimed that, “Home-based businesses are the way the economy can move forward.”
