Tori Keen
Atascadero City Council Candidate
PLATFORM
"Everything is political. What we need in politics is people who who will listen and respond to the community's needs. That's what I want to be!"
Affordable Housing
In my time on the Atascadero Planning Commission, I’ve learned that our zoning regulations sometimes prevent the development of affordable housing. I want more family homes that people can purchase and become homeowners. Condos and apartments certainly have their place, but homeowners have a greater investment in our community. We need to re-examine our zoning regulations, perhaps allowing for smaller property parcels. This will mean more housing density, but it will also mean more families with a role in Atascadero!
Diversity and Inclusivity
It is more important than ever to make sure that we are including all voices and opinions when we make decisions for the city. This may mean reaching out to groups and populations that will be particularly affected by certain decisions to make sure that their voices are heard. While all voices matter, not all voices are heard. I want to be a voice for those that feel they can’t speak up or help amplify those that feel they are not being heard.
Creek Access
Isn’t the creek in downtown SLO amazing?! Wouldn’t it be great to have something like that here? People need reasons to come visit our city, and residents need places to enjoy. Imagine having walkways, along the stretch from Centennial bridge to Lewis Ave bridge. Overlooks above, stepping stones below. Imagine spending a beautiful summer evening walking along our creek! That’s a big dream, I know, but so was Sunken Gardens at one point. A project like that is truly an investment in the future of our city.
Small Business
Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community like ours. Large corporations might generate tax dollars, and sometimes donate money to local organizations. However, they don’t have the same investment in the community that small businesses do. We need local investment and small businesses to continue to build a vibrant, unique business community. I urge small business owners to contact me, so I can learn what’s needed to make this happen!
LIST OF ISSUES
Homelessness
We definitely have a highly visible homeless population living in Atascadero right now. Homelessness is a complicated issue, which unfortunately means there is no easy solution. Different people have different needs: some require mental health counseling, some medical care. Some need jobs that are in their skill set. All need affordable housing of some type. Many people are frustrated we have such a large homeless population when we also have the North County’s only 24 hour shelter in our city. ECHO does a lot within our community, and in fact it’s expanding, hiring outreach personnel who will go to people who are homeless and try to connect them with services. But, ECHO has a specific care model that doesn’t meet everyone’s needs. Because of this, more needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of all people living in Atascadero.