HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What March 2017
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
For elected officials, defeat as well as success are expected results. So, when the voters rejected the proposed
Charter for the city in 1907, they tried again.
An election in April 1910 resulted in the return of three former Freeholders. The new postmas ter, Warren
M. John, with no affiliation with a faction as chosen chairman of the group. His wife, Callie, would become the
longest serving City Clerk (1913-1941). Dr. William M. Stover, a Chamber of Commerce representative, will
be twice elected mayor (1915-1919). Louis F. Sinsheimer, a favorite of the Merchant’s Association, became
the longest serving Mayor in the City’s history (1919-1939).
The Daily Telegram underscored the benefits of the Charter “not obtainable under any of the ‘class’
designations” for communities. It will be remembered that in 1876 when the community was first designated
a “city,” the requirement was simply a population of at least 3000. Local autonomy was limited as the State
legislature regulated much of the community’s civic responsibilities. In extolling the virtues of the new
proposal, the newspaper underscored existing governance needing revision.
There would be no sudden rise in taxes (note the emphasis was on “sudden”), clear provisions as to street
work, procedures for obtaining park sites, holding the water works “forever,” removing “faithless” public
officials, procedures for the “people” to initiate legislation, public “say” as to the granting of a public utility
franchise, abolishing useless offices, and competitive bidding for public works. High expectations and results
were again demanded of the Freeholders.
Completed three months later, the new proposal was printed in the Tribune. The City Council formally
accepted the charter on August 15 and called for another election for voter approval in early September.
There were many proposed changes starting at the top of the political
ladder as the Mayor’s role as chief executive officer also required a yearly
report on city affairs, employing a “competent” accountant to examine
financial transactions, and supervision of the public utilities…especially
water. The four council members became a “mayor” of specific duties. Each
became a Commissioner: Public Health and Safety, Supplies, Public Works,
and Revenue and Finance and was expected to exercise “active
management and control” of his department. No issue could be decided if
a department’s Commissioner was not present. Some 56 specific “powers”
were reserved to the elected officials.
This time the voters were a bit more satisfied. Of the 821 votes cast, 65%
were affirmative. The election and charter were then sent to the State and
formally adopted by the Legislature by February 1911. Officially, the new
Charter City of San Luis Obispo was born. Unfortunately, the official
Secretary of State certification and Charter are missing. Fortunately, in
order to meet the legislative mandates, the Charter was reprinted in
various state resolutions.
Times change and politics respond. Over the years, the Charter has been amended requiring a vote by the
residents and, thus, a bare skeleton of the original remains to guide city affairs. For it time, however, the
Charter was a brave look into a better future for the community that now totaled slightly over 5000 residents.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com 3/2017
HISTORY of SAN LUIS
OBISPO