Cal Poly hosts SLO Mayoral Candidates Debate
Cal Poly Mustang News hosted a San Luis Obispo Mayoral Debate on campus Tuesday with the two candidates, incumbent Mayor Heidi Harmon and challenger T. Keith Gurnee taking questions from a student panel.
Growth on and off campus, affordable housing were among many topics for the two candidates before a small crowd of students that gathered in the plaza of the University Union.
“This campaign for mayor is probably one of the most important elections in our local government’s history over the last five decades”, Gurnee said, “I think the future direction of this city is in trouble with the amount of growth that is occurring.”
“Development here in the city is a key part of assuring that we remain economically vital”, Mayor Harmon said, “we want technology, entrepreneurs and all of those types of businesses to start and grow here and housing and the lack thereof and the lack of affordability is a huge limiter and it has extensive economic impacts.”
Both candidates say managing that growth and building more affordable housing are two of the biggest issues confronting San Luis Obispo now and into the future.
“I think some of these housing projects that are coming in need to provide housing that’s affordable to working people because you as students are going to be working people soon”, Gurnee said.
“It’s not just about protecting what is San Luis Obispo but it’s also about expanding who gets to be here in San Luis Obispo”, Harmon said, “that we have the second least diversity in the state is of deep concern to me and I know to people on this campus and that we are one of the least affordable places to live in the United States and that people who work in the city of San Luis Obispo cannot afford to be part of our community.”
Other topics for the candidates included Cal Poly’s ambitious plans to increase student enrollment and build more student housing.
