John Headding
Candidate for Mayor of Morro Bay
| Website: | headdingformayor.com/ |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/JohnHeaddingforMayor/ |
| Why are you running for office?: | Morro Bay must continue to preserve the unique small harbor town nature while concurrently embracing change to improve our economic and financial position. Under my leadership the city has established new policies that have resulted in significant increases in our financial reserves that has allowed us to continue to provide core public safety services despite the devastating loss of revenues due to COVID-19. Strong advocacy efforts by myself in Washington D.C. and Sacramento have allowed the city to obtain federal and state loan guarantees for our new water reclamation facility at extremely low interest rates resulting in debt savings to the city in excess of over $30 million. I am running for mayor because I want to continue to advocate for sound fiscal policies, diversification of our economic revenue base, transparency in government, protection of our bay and harbor, and expansion of our tourism (post COVID-19) and fishing industries. I will continue to work hard to eliminate wasteful spending, further reduce our pension liabilities, support local businesses, and maintain a local police and fire workforce. |
| What makes you qualified for the job?: | My career was in healthcare, managing departments and then hospitals. I have been on the City Council for four years and most recently have been Mayor of Morro Bay from 2018 to present. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win?: | 1. Complete our largest infrastructure project: our new wastewater treatment facility. 2. Achieve financial and economic stability for our city. |
| How will you interact with other governments?: | During my tenure as Mayor, I have consistently advocated for our community with our Congressman, Assemblyman, and Board Of Supervisors. Additionally, I have worked with the coastal commission on a number of city-related issues and serve on multiple county commissions in my position as mayor. |
| What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: | Morro Bay has the second lowest rate of COVID-19 in the county. We will continue to aggressively message our community regarding social distancing, mask wearing, frequent handwashing, and other important public health safety practices. We have also implemented a number of ordinances to assist us in enforcing safe practices. We are also continuing to interact with our businesses to interpret guidance from the state on reopening. |
| Which two issues are most important to you?: | Affordable housing and financial sustainability. |
