Election drama in Paso Robles

27 August 2024

OPINION by RON CUFF

Let's face it, voting is great and all, but it's kind of the prelude to the main event. If we really want to make Paso Robles a shining beacon of effective governance, we need more than just showing up at the polls – we need a full-blown, dazzling spectacle of civic engagement.

Paso Robles City Council: A Casting Call for Change

We should encourage a diverse group of characters (or candidates) to step into the public spotlight. Not just the usual suspects, but also some new faces with fresh ideas.

Electing Michael Rivera in the Third District would be an excellent start.

Who knows, maybe the next new council member will be the neighbor who always has a creative solution for fixing potholes, using a unique combination of asphalt and determination. Because let's face it, our streets are starting to resemble the dusty trails last seen in the Jesse James era.

It's time to get serious – or at least more serious than swearing and dodging potholes like we're in an action movie.

Transparency: The ultimate reality TV show

Why not make Paso Robles City Council meetings a live-streamed event you won’t want to miss?

Think of it like reality TV, but with fewer emotional outbursts (hopefully) and more thoughtful decisions that actually make our lives better. Picture it: residents sitting on their couches, popcorn in hand, watching council members navigate the turbulent waters of city government.

And if they do make a mistake, at least they'll have something to talk about at the next neighborhood barbecue.

Let's check everything!

And while we're at it, how about financial transparency? A widely publicized annual third-party audit should be as commonplace as our city's obsession with grant applications. If the numbers aren't right, we'll be the first to know, and maybe finally get answers as to why we can't make ends meet… without another tax increase or bond measure.

City council meetings: keep the drama, avoid the nonsense

Speaking of meetings, let's make sure they focus on the big issues – like fixing roads, modernizing our water and sewer infrastructure, and solving the problem of homelessness.

We should leave the long proclamations, employee commendations, and retirement ceremonies for another time. We all love our city employees, but perhaps we could save the heartfelt praise for a Friday afternoon meeting instead of spending valuable time in the council chambers?

Aligning interests: less drama, more results

And finally, we should make sure that the City Council and the City Administration all work from the same script when they meet. We have seen too many episodes where their interests diverge more than a poorly dubbed foreign movie. And here comes the unexpected twist: Why are we spending millions on things like tourism when Paso Robles has already become a destination for tourists from all over the world? Are outside interests donating to the campaigns of incumbent City Council members?

Conclusion: The continuation of a better city

So, to sum up: more engagement, more transparency, better use of public time, local control, and a city council that works as synchronously as a well-rehearsed dance routine. If we get this right, maybe we can not only fix our streets, but also enjoy the sweet satisfaction of knowing that our city is running as smoothly as a well-oiled machine.

Ron Cuff is a retired U.S. Navy commander, a local man and a lover of smooth roads, local control and a camp-free Salinas riverbed.