Candidate for
Commissioner; Port San Luis Harbor District

I am committed to keeping Port San Luis a viable working harbor with commercial and recreational boats, reliable access to boats for loading and unloading passengers and supplies, facilities for boat maintenance, fuel docks,and proficient employees and effective administration. I support commercial fishing as an important Harbor industry and advocate projects which improve environmental quality, such as boat yard upgrades. I support continued efforts to develop revenue sources that are independent from property taxes.

Important issues facing the District in the next few years require seasoned judgement and actions by experienced Harbor Commissioners.

First, there has been employee turnovers recently due to retirement of long-time personnel. Operations and facilities manager positions have recently been filled and will take some time for them to adjust how things are done at PSL and make improvements necessary to increase efficiency and revenues. The retirement of longtime Port employees with vast experience and the breaking in of new ones in these skill positions is a major and important task. Institutional memory such as I have can be important to insure the Port moves forward with new staff and employees rather than repeat past, and in some cases rather unfortunate, experiences.

The end of Hartford pier will need to be pier extensively rebuilt and a new building provided resulting in a significant cash expenditure in the face of significantly reduced revenue from the existing restaurants. I have been acutely aware of this situation for many years and stand ready with my experience to insure the best possible resolution for both Harbor patrons and visitors for this major project.

The development of Harbor Terrace, and other facilities, needs to be initiated and carried out according to our certified Port Master Plan. Along with this is the continuing oversight by the District of the ongoing activities regarding public access and construction projects at the Pt. San Luis Lighthouse. Although this is primarily an activity of the Keepers, the District is the owner of the property and ultimately the responsible entity for all Lighthouse related activities.

Another issue is a fairly long time, on-going situation with Sacramento relating to raids on revenue coming into special districts. Although there is nothing on the horizon just now, there is always an uneasiness that something might happen that will affect the Districts' fair share of tax proceeds collected for District uses. The situation bears constant vigilance.

Port San Luis is the jewel of the Central Coast. My goal is to maintain the commercial and recreational services of Port San Luis, improve its economic viability and retain its unique character. If you enjoy using the Port or just visiting to take in the sights, smells and activity, such as the humpback whale display this past summer, of a working port, vote for Blecha, Harbor Commissioner.