HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2024 Item 7a, Walker
kathie walker <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Election System Proposal
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Dear Councilmembers,
I believe district elections will are the best solution for San Luis Obispo for the following reasons:
1. It will allow specific neighborhoods to be represented by someone who lives there and understands
the unique circumstances of that district.
We live in the northern part of the city and do not have a representative who lives here. Over the past
three years, the residents in our neighborhood have been unable to have peace from Thursday to Sunday
due to extreme noise generated at illegal fraternity houses in our neighborhood. I have sent video and
correspondence to SLOPD and to the Council related to the lack of enforcement of noisy parties and,
most importantly, the illegal fraternity houses located in Alta Vista, Monterey Heights, and spreading to
neighborhoods west of Santa Rosa near Foothill. One Council member wrote to me after viewing a video
and said they didn't know what they would do if they lived here. It's been three years and the problem has
not been solved.
Each district in the city has unique situations (i.e. Laguna Lake, the airport area, etc.) The constituents
need and deserve to have representation in those districts.
2. It will be more inclusive because candidates can run a more affordable campaign.
I was involved in running an election campaign for a SLO mayor several years ago and was privy to the
inner workings of a campaign. It is expensive and special interest groups can contribute significant
amounts by having themselves, their family, and their friends give the maximum contribution, which was
limited to $300 per person. It adds up when many related people are each contributing $300. I also
witnessed back-room deals where a council person who wanted an endorsement "convinced" another
well-known person in politics not to run against the mayoral candidate and in exchange, the city council
candidate received an endorsement from the political party and won the election. I became
disenchanted and lost faith in the fairness of politics, even on a local level. Money and endorsements by
a political party are the primary factors that determine the winner of elections in SLO. Districts allow a
more focused approach and are more affordable for potential candidates because they only need to
reach those in their district. They would represent the specific needs of the residents in their district.
The argument that the district voters can only vote for their representative once every four years is not
consequential because the constituents have direct representation. If the City feels they should be able
to vote every two years, then change the process to align with the mayoral election and have voting every
two years for all candidates.
Thank you for your consideration,
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Kathie Walker
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