By Theresa-Marie Wilson ~

The nomination period for local elections kicked off last week and some familiar as well as relatively unknowns in the political arena have announced they will run for election. Nomination papers are not due until mid August and signatures will have to be verified by the county before anything is truly official.

LeAnn Akins said she would run for one of two seats on the Arroyo Grande City Council.

“Over the last two years I have closely watched and participated in the local political landscape,” she said in a press release. “I have come to have an understanding of the issues facing our community and want to work to ensure they are dealt with effectively. I will work for fiscal responsibility, open and transparent communication, and sustainable development.”

Akins said she would work to bring the current budget inline and work to retain our current businesses and work even harder to bring in new local business to the city to help increase revenues.

“The citizens of Arroyo Grande deserve to have truly responsive and engaged council; one which listens and takes into consideration concerns, questions, and ideas from all stakeholders in the city prior to making a decision,” she said. “Inclusiveness leads to having full information, a view from 360 degrees, which in turn leads to better decisions for the community.

Development will continue, but the issue is, in what manner will it continue?  Sustainability must be part of this conversation.  Every development-focused conversation should lead to a conversation about water.  Development and water need to be addressed simultaneously.”

She went on to say that the city council should be more representative of the community as a whole with councilmembers coming from all areas of the city.
“Our representatives should come from other neighborhoods in addition to The Village.  The Village is part of Arroyo Grande’s heritage and is important and so is the rest of the city.”

To talk to LeAnn Akins, call her at 805-710-0406.

Arroyo Grande incumbent City Councilwoman Kristen Barneich held a gathering in front of the City Council chambers to garner the necessary 20 signatures for her official nomination papers. About 55 people attended and 30 signatures from eligible voters were collected.

“I am really excited,” she told Coast News. “I have been honored to serve the city council for the last two and a half years, and I would love to continue doing that and representing the amazing citizens of Arroyo Grande. I absolutely love that people took time out of their day to wish me well. It means a lot to me, and I am really touched by it.”

Caren Ray and Ken Sage are also running for two available seats as reported in Coast News.

Richard Waller will face off with incumbent Jim Hill for Mayor of Arroyo Grande.

Waller, a third generation Arroyo Grande native, cites his reasons for running as bringing back true transparency and civility in city government, and ensuring economic vitality of the city into the future.

“The turmoil within the city government over the past few years needs to stop and a course set for the future,” Waller said in a press release.

Waller’s family has lived and farmed in the Arroyo Grande area for 108 years, since his grandfather L.D. Waller came to the small village in 1908 to grow sweet peas. Waller Park in Santa Maria was named in the elder Waller’s honor when he died in 1940, in recognition of his lifetime of community work. In addition to this, the sweet pea is designated as the Arroyo Grande City Flower in part due to Waller Flowerseed Company’s primary crop.

The family tradition of community service continued with June, Richard Waller’s mother, when she worked with the Arroyo Grande City Council to pass ordinances to protect farming within the city.

Waller grew up in Arroyo Grande and graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended Cuesta College then California State University at Chico, graduating with a bachelor of arts in history and obtained his teaching credential from the University of Nevada. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a wild land firefighter for six years.

Waller and his wife Laurie are both retired teachers, and have three adult children. He is the President of the Backcountry Horsemen of California, a statewide organization dedicated to preserving access to, and trails on, our public lands. He is a volunteer wilderness ranger and volunteer mule packer for the US Forest Service.

For more information about Richard Waller and his plan for Arroyo Grande, visit his Facebook Page at ‘Richard Waller for Arroyo Grande Mayor’.

Current Grover Beach Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lee announced he would seek re-election to the Grover Beach City Council. Two seats are open for the general election because Councilwoman Karen Bright has termed out after serving two-four-year terms.

“It is a privilege to work with the community, staff and the council to advance the city’s goals and objectives,” said Lee. “Grover Beach is making great progress and, with the community’s support and vote, I would be honored to serve a second term.”

If elected, Lee said his priorities for his second term would include further implementation of the Measure K-14 Street Bond road improvements, completion of Oak Park Boulevard road improvements, addressing water related issues including water conservation efforts and long-term reclamation opportunities, advancement of economic development projects including the Grover Beach Lodge Convention Center, and completion of the Digital West partnership to bring a broadband network to Grover Beach.

Currently the Board President for the Integrated Waste Management Authority, Lee also serves as a board member for the Zone 3 Advisory Committee, the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition and the San Luis Obispo Economic Vitality Corporation. He is also a past member of Visit San Luis Obispo and the Homeless Services Oversight Committee.

Prior to being elected to the Grover Beach City Council in 2012, he volunteered on the city’s Park, Recreation & Beautification Commission for three years and served as Chair.

Lee works as an engineer for the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Works.

More election updates will follow as people toss their hats in the ring. Look for Q&A with candidates as the November General Election approaches.