Candidate for
Councilmember; City of Morro Bay

A Foundation to Build a Future for Our Home, Morro Bay.

Nine years ago I chose Morro Bay to be my home not by accident of birth nor employment. Rather, my selection was on purpose, for the same reasons many people embrace Morro Bay. The natural geography, the size which dictates a certain rhythm and pace, the mix of young families and retirees along with transplants such as myself. This is privileged living!

The role of newbie is not foreign to me since leaving my home town Belleville, Ontario, Canada. To learn what is at the heart of a town one needs to become involved and that is what I did. I became a volunteer for Morro Bay Beautiful, and my church. Through Morro Bay Beautiful I became involved with SLOCOG attending meetings over the course of 3 years to address the highway 1 median proposal.

I joined the Chamber where I served as a member of the Executive Board and am currently on the Board. The Chamber has allowed me to meet many business owners and come to appreciate the variety of challenges they face. I now understand how the Chamber continuously works with City & County agencies to create a business friendly environment and attract tourist dollars. Tourism is now our major industry.

Like a child, my heroes are at the Police and Fire departments, so it was a natural for me to join the Police Department Community Service Volunteers where I am an active participant. As delegated I direct traffic provide back up support at the scene of vehicular accidents, fires, emergency medical situations, and town events such as Harbor Festival, the Merchants Fair, and the 4th of July. The opportunity to lean more about our Fire Department has been afforded to me most recently as now I serve on the Emergency Services ad hoc Committee.

It was apparent to me that Morro Bay was a vacation spot going through the growing pains of a city with more and more full time residents that required more services. To better appreciate how the City was put together and what it's plans for the future were the Planning Commission seemed like a good place to learn and to serve and so I applied for an open position. Four years later I am the Chair for the Planning Commission.

Like many Americans I have a love affair with the automobile and while I do not own a classic I can surround myself with some of these beauties as a Board member for the Crusin Morro Bay Car Show. The show takes the cooperation of many and is a major boost for local businesses, delights young and old alike and benefits 3 major non-profit organizations.

Each of these volunteer activities have served as a classroom. I continue to learn about the City Government, the business community, municipal services and safety departments, as well as the many groups and agencies at work to protect our environment. I also learn a great deal as I interface with many of our citizens both formally and informally.

I have much more to learn, yet believe I now have a foundation on which to build, fueled by a sincere desire to make Morro Bay home for the rest of my life. A further demonstration of my commitment came in June of 2000 when I became a US citizen. This occasion taught me never to take citizens rights for granted and learning what those rights are here in Morro Bay and protecting those rights is the very soul of democracy.

I know my willingness to serve and to learn, coupled with my ability not only to listen but to hear, along with the clear understanding that in running for Council, the residents of Morro Bay have the power, which they exercise through their elected agents, presents me as an ideal candidate for our City Council.

Where I Came From and Where I Have Been

I was born and raised in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. I am a graduate of Moira Secondary Highschool and the Ontario Provincial Trades Program as an Electrician in 19. I worked as a journey man electrician on large industrial projects in various states.

Home for 19 years was New Orleans La., where my wife of 33 years Heather and I, raised our two now independent adult children, Stacey 28 and Jason 27. I have explored various career paths but none more rewarding than Home Health. As an Administrator I worked with seriously ill children, their families, and nurses, who taught me valuable lessons.

I learned to listen, identify challenges from their perspective, and seek solutions to ensure cooperation that lead to constructive outcomes for all. I also learned how to communicate and negotiate effectively with insurance companies, working with their bureaucracy to secure the best for my little clients. Using this knowledge I became Vice President of a medical receivables company where again listening and negotiating skills were critical to success. I have reinvented myself so to speak, several times, with the decision to settle in Morro Bay requiring more change yet again. Job opportunities in Morro Bay are very limited and I became one of licensed realtors in 1998 and acquired contractors license in 2001.

I have and continue to meet and enjoy people from many different walks of life. My journey to date has helped me to develop patience, cope graciously with change, to give and expect courtesy, lessons that are vital in community service.

Where I Came From and Where I Have Been

I was born and raised in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. I am a graduate of Moira Secondary Highschool and the Ontario Provincial Trades Program as an Electrician in 19. I worked as a journey man electrician on large industrial projects in various states.

Home for 19 years was New Orleans La., where my wife of 33 years Heather and I, raised our two now independent adult children, Stacey 28 and Jason 27. I have explored various career paths but none more rewarding than Home Health. As an Administrator I worked with seriously ill children, their families, and nurses, who taught me valuable lessons.

I learned to listen, identify challenges from their perspective, and seek solutions to ensure cooperation that lead to constructive outcomes for all. I also learned how to communicate and negotiate effectively with insurance companies, working with their bureaucracy to secure the best for my little clients. Using this knowledge I became Vice President of a medical receivables company where again listening and negotiating skills were critical to success. I have reinvented myself so to speak, several times, with the decision to settle in Morro Bay requiring more change yet again. Job opportunities in Morro Bay are very limited and I became one of licensed realtors in 1998 and acquired contractors license in 2001.

I have and continue to meet and enjoy people from many different walks of life. My journey to date has helped me to develop patience, cope graciously with change, to give and expect courtesy, lessons that are vital in community service.