Chris Bowyer
Solvang City Council
| Website: | www.BowyerforSolvang.com |
| Facebook: | @BowyerforSolvang |
| Twitter: | @Bowyer2020 |
| Why are you running for office?: | When I learned that the current council was having a conversation about allowing a developer to consider tearing down our veterans hall, I was mortified. As a US Marine Corps veteran, that issue hit home for me. I started to engage with my neighbors throughout the community and learned a lot more about a number of local issues, and quickly realized that our city had lost faith in their local government. I have three core values to my candidacy: transparency, accountability, and accessibility. I learned long ago that perception influences reality. The community’s perception is that our city council is not being forthcoming about decisions or discussions, that it answers to no one, and that they’re not interested in the voices of their own community. I believe that embodying my ethos of Transparency, Accountability, Accessibility is how I can restore the faith of my neighbors in their government. |
| What makes you qualified for the job?: | I have two chapters in my life which make me uniquely suited for a career in public service. The first is as US Marine, where I learned how to lead lead our nation’s servicemen and women in some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable. I know the value of listening to the people on the ground, making sound and timely decisions, and following through. The second is my business experience. Alongside two US Army Green Berets, I started a security company that has employed hundreds of people all over California. I learned how to budget for a multi-million dollar company, build relationships with employees and communities, and find innovative solutions to unusual problems. I will use that leadership and business experience for my community. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win?: | The recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is paramount for our community - especially as we are dependent on tourism. Additionally, our wastewater treatment plant is in dire need of an upgrade. Facilitating those conversations and finding solutions to those problems that work for our community are my top two priorities. |
| How will you interact with other governments?: | As a candidate I have already engaged with our neighbors throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, to include our county government and our Chumash neighbors, in order to better understand their perspectives and determine what their interests and what challenges they have faced with Solvang City Council. |
| What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: | Soliciting the input of our local businesses and residents, as well as from our visitors is the first thing we need to do in order to find a way forward after COVID-19. Understanding the challenges associated with recovery is critical to our town moving forward from this pandemic. We find the way forward together. |
| Which two issues are most important to you?: | Restoring the trust of our residents in their local government and working together as a community to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession are my two biggest concerns. |
