Mike Boswell
| Candidate Name: | Mike Boswell |
| Position Sought: | San Luis Obispo City Council |
| Website / Social Media: | www.boswellforslo.org Facebook: Mike Boswell for SLO City Council Instagram: @mikeboswellslocity |
| Why are you running for office? |
| I have three main reasons for seeking a council seat in the City of SLO. First, I have a lifelong commitment to service. In SLO, I have served as an appointed official on the City Planning Commission and the Local Revenue Measure Advisory Committee. I have learned much about the community and I want to elevate my service by serving on the City Council. Second, I see a number of challenges for the city where I can use my professional experience in city planning to make a positive contribution, such as housing and homelessness, transportation, and climate action. Finally, I believe in good governance and that the SLO community deserves a council member who has the vision and the experience to turn ideas into action. I love SLO and want to give back to the community that has given my wife and me so much. |
| What makes you qualified for this position? |
| 35 years of professional experience in city and regional planning. 26 years as Professor of City & Regional Planning at Cal Poly including serving two terms as Department Head. Two terms on the City of SLO Planning Commission, including as Chair, and one term on the City of SLO Local Revenue Measure Advisory Committee. Local, state, national and international experience working on issues of city sustainability and climate action. |
| What are the two hardest issues facing the candidate who wins the office you are running for? |
| Housing and homelessness. This is an issue at the national, state and local level. Many of the solutions, especially funding for affordable housing and social services, require national and state support. We are making significant efforts in the city--for example with 500 units of affordable housing in the pipeline--but we cannot solve this problem on our own. We must continue the good efforts of the city and county while also advocating for additional support. Traffic safety and Vision Zero. The city has a “Vision Zero” plan with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths. Unfortunately, deaths in the city have been increasing the last few years, in-line with a national trend. The city is making numerous investments in safety improvements but we must do more. Our streets are plagued with speeding and distracted driving, so in addition to building safer streets, we need more enforcement. |
| How do you plan to address the issue of inflation and its impacts on your constituents if elected? |
| There is little that can be done by a city council member to address inflation, which is a national and international problem. The city does charge for various services such as parking, water, development fees, some recreational programs, and transit, among others. As a council member I would look to keep these fees as low as possible while continuing to maintain the quality and availability of these services. |
| What major crime issues do you plan to address if elected and how? |
| The most recent report from the SLO PD shows that overall crime in the city is down 24% in the last year. This is a good trend that is attributable to strong leadership in the SLOPD including sufficient staffing and implementation of programs such as the Community Action Team, Community Service Officers (CSOs), and officer Crisis Intervention Training. I’m especially encouraged by the CSO program aimed at addressing low-level and nuisance activities to increase public safety. Police Chief Scott says “This forward looking and modern approach to least-harm policing, places six highly qualified and trained civilian officers on the streets of downtown and throughout the city.” I will support these programs and consider expanding when additional benefit can be gained. |
| How do you plan to address the issue of housing if elected? |
| There are three key aspects to addressing housing affordability: First, the city needs to continue working with the state, county, and local non-profits, to support the building of affordable housing. There are currently about 500 new units of affordable housing in the pipeline for SLO. I will advocate for continuing and expanding this effort. Second, I support continuing to build homes in our identified expansion areas such as Avila Ranch, Orcutt Area, and Margarita Area. This growth should be managed to not exceed our 1% per year growth cap. In addition, the needed infrastructure to support this growth such as roads, schools, fire protection, etc., must be developed concurrently. Finally, the city needs to ensure that rental housing in SLO is healthy and safe and that renters are protected from predatory landlords. I support efforts to protect renters. |
| What do you hope to accomplish in your first year in office if elected? |
| I want to provide leadership on updating the Vison Zero plan to reduce and eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets. It is an ambitious goal, but I believe we have a moral obligation to make our streets safer for everyone, especially children and those with mobility limitations. Another big issue in my first year of city council will be the preparation of the new city budget. My priority will be to adopt a budget that is balanced, supports the major city goals, and ensures that citizens receive the high-quality city services they have come to expect. |
| What actions do you plan to take to reduce political divide? |
| I take pride in being a person who treats everyone with respect and models civility and rational debate. When faced with challenges in the city, I will do my homework, talk with folks on all sides of the issue, seek to build consensus when possible, and make fair and open decisions. |
