Len Colamarino's Statement of Candidacy

By Len Colamarino

The document below describes the candidacy of Len Colamarino for Atascadero City Council in 2014

I am moderate and independent. No ideology dictates my decision-making and I am not a soldier of any political groups. My record in almost six years as a Planning Commissioner demonstrates that I decide every matter on its own merits, without fear or favor of anyone or anything.

A highlight of my record on the Planning Commission was my June 2012 vote against proceeding with the Walmart/Annex project on the unfavorable financial terms presented. I was the only Planning Commissioner or City Council member to vote that way, or even question the project's financial risks. Those risks are now coming back to haunt us, with the city facing millions of dollars of additional cost for Del Rio freeway interchange improvements. As The Tribune said in endorsing my candidacy on October 5: "[I]f only others had listened."

I moved to Atascadero almost ten years ago. I could have gone anywhere in the world. I chose Atascadero because the quality of life seemed to surpass that of any other place. Living here has confirmed that. But though our residential areas need little improvement, our business district badly needs upgrading.

Revival of Atascadero's business district needs to start downtown. I envision a lively area of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues surrounding the Sunken Garden and the Rotunda Building. It will be an area that residents will want to frequent, and outsiders will want to visit. With such a "destination downtown" at our city's center, we will have the beginning of a vibrant business district in Atascadero.

The timing is favorable for the turnaround of Atascadero's downtown and its business sector. The economy is on the upswing. And Atascadero is positioned well to benefit from the explosive growth of the Paso Robles wine region and the advent of wine tourism--trends which are bringing more commerce and tourism to the North County. To get the full benefit from these trends, however, Atascadero needs forward-thinking leaders ready and willing to embrace the 21st century and the opportunities that the future holds. It will be my mission on the City Council to make sure that Atascadero does not continue to stagnate in its business sector and that we do not pass up our chances to improve our downtown.

My service as a Planning Commissioner, along with more than 35 years of professional experience in business and law, give me the background, skillset and judgment to excel in managing our city's business as a City Council member. Beyond that, you can be sure that I am nobody's fool. You can trust that I will represent your interests wisely and not let our city continue to get taken advantage of the way it has been taken advantage of in the past.

Please go to http://www.UpGradeAtascadero.org for additional information, including a link to the Facebook page.