25 August 2024
Atascadero City Councilman Charles Bourbeau
By KAREN VELIE
In the race for Paso Robles and Atascadero city council seats, there are more newcomers than incumbents vying to serve the public.
Paso Robles is holding its first district-based election, a historic first. There are two contested seats: one in District 1 and one in District 3.
It is likely to be a neck-and-neck race, as the majority of residents are angry with the two incumbents who voted for paid parking downtown. While business owners told the council that their sales were down, two council members, Sharon Roden and Steve Gregory, insisted that sales were better with paid parking, parroting City Manager Ty Lewis.
The city’s main source of revenue is sales tax, which has risen dramatically since citizens fought to abolish paid parking in the city center.
The main sources of revenue for the General Fund in Paso Robles according to the adopted budget for fiscal year 2024-2025:
- Sales and use tax revenues of $20,350,713 – 32% of general fund revenues
- Property tax of $14,292,713 – 26% of general fund revenue
- Temporary occupancy tax of $10,522,000 – 19% of general fund revenue
The city had a deficit of over $40 million at the last budget review, leading to numerous cuts and delays in plans to repair infrastructure. Despite this, both Roden and Gregory voted against having the city attorney and consultants reimburse the costs of the failed paid parking program.
In another point of contention, both Roden and Gregory voted to accept the fixed-base operator contract from ACI Jet – a local company that came to the city’s aid when it needed help – and award the contract to Loyd’s Aviation, a company based in Bakersfield.
Candidates for District 1
City Councilor Sharon Roden
Sharon Roden was appointed by the City Council in October 2023 to replace then-City Councilman John Hamon. Hamon replaced longtime Mayor Steve Martin, who passed away in August 2023.
Roden is a fifth-generation resident of San Luis Obispo County. She is a businesswoman at Roden Farms, which grows pistachios and raises cattle. She is also involved in real estate, offering both long-term and short-term rentals.
“As your voice in city government, I hit the ground running, focusing on key issues related to public safety, infrastructure and homelessness,” Roden says on her campaign website.
Linda George, photo by Michael V Messina
Linda George is a civic activist who regularly attends City Council meetings. She has been a vocal opponent of the downtown paid parking program and the selection of an out-of-town company to replace ACI Jet.
His top priorities are transparency in government, road construction, fiscal responsibility, low taxes and finding effective solutions to homelessness.
George says she will listen to the public, challenge special interests and work to preserve Paso Robles’ character and charm. As a fiscal conservative, Linda wants to make sure the city’s money is spent wisely. She plans to cut wasteful spending.
Kris Beal
Kris Beal taught at Cal Poly before taking on a leadership role with the Vineyard Team, a local nonprofit. She regularly volunteers around town, working at community and nonprofit events, supporting community education and outreach, and volunteering at local schools.
Beal is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and has served on committees for the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.
“I am collaborative and community-oriented and have a proven track record of bringing people together to solve problems,” Beal says on her website. “I am ready to use my skills and experience to help the people of Paso Robles.”
Candidates for District 3
Steve Gregory
Steve Gregory was first appointed to the council in 2014. Paso Robles has been his home for over 40 years.
Gregory volunteers for Main Street, Rotary, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation. He has coached youth sports, mentored many long-term AFS students, and is a co-founder and grant applicant for the Avila Sealife Center.
During his tenure, he served as a planning commissioner and on the Development Review Committee, working on Paso Robles Airport infrastructure, downtown lighting and promoting homeless services.
Michael Rivera
Mike Rivera has served the county governments of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo for many years, serving as parks commissioner, planning commissioner, and a member of the county’s Private Industry Council, where he was responsible for employment and training programs and economic development.
Rivera believes in listening to citizens and has been a vocal opponent of the paid parking program.
“I will fight for small-budget government, personal freedom and low taxes,” Rivera says on his website. “I want to work for you to ensure that your needs are always at the forefront of our city’s priorities and never go against the interests of the voters. I will work hard for you to ensure a bright future for our city.”
Jeff Carr
Jeff Carr is a retired engineer specializing in defense engineering and government sectors. He supports government transparency, public safety, and fiscal accountability.
Carr is another city resident who tried to get the City Council to eliminate the paid parking program.
“Instead of doing the right thing and maintaining the necessary level of integrity for the Council and the City, the City and Council majority have chosen a path of questionable procedures and legal maneuvering to achieve their goals,” Carr wrote to the Council, urging them to end the paid parking program. “And in doing so, they ignored the overwhelming majority of downtown businesses and citizens who were begging them to end the parking program.”
With the mayor of Atascadero After Heather Moreno won a seat on the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors, Councilman Charles Bourbeau decided to run for mayor to continue his previous work.
“Significant investments in infrastructure have resulted in improved neighborhood roads, new bridges and new amenities including pickleball courts, the inclusive Joy Playground and many others,” Bourbeau said in his announcement. “The council promotes responsible economic development and exciting events for our residents and visitors.”
At the end of the filing period, Bourbeau was the only candidate for mayor.
Bourbeau and Councilman Mark Dariz’s terms end in 2024.
Three candidates are competing for two seats on the Atascadero City Council:
Mark Dariz
Mark Dariz, an architect, was elected to the council in 2020. Dariz served on the Planning Commission from 2011 to 2020.
He supports public safety, government transparency, and close cooperation with other city officials.
Seth Peek, owner of Peek Realty and Peek Painting, is a longtime Atascadero resident who narrowly missed a seat on the City Council in the 2020 election.
“I am running for City Council to bring a fresh, business-focused approach to local government, with a strong focus on community safety and fiscal responsibility,” Peek wrote in his announcement. “I believe that by working together, we can preserve the qualities that make Atascadero a fantastic place to live, while supporting and strengthening our local economy.”
Tori Keen
Tori Keen works as a paralegal in family law. She has been a member of the Atascadero Planning Commission since 2019.
Keen wants to create more jobs for heads of households and affordable housing. She also plans to work on long-term solutions for the homeless.
“I also recognize that not everyone feels like their voice is heard in our city,” Keen said. “It is very important to me to support all community members so that we can work together on the growth we are seeing in our city.”
