As we approach the primary election on June 5, we are previewing some of the races on the ballot. This is a look at the race for 4th District San Luis Obispo County Supervisor.
The 4th District race has political newcomer Jimmy Paulding facing off against incumbent Lynn Compton in what has been considered a swing vote on the board.
"I think it’s a misconception to say that my getting on the board is just going to flip the balance of power. District 4 has traditionally been a swing vote and that’s what I want to do," Paulding said.
"If we lose the majority on this board with my election, or in two years with one of the other two supervisors, you will have a major shift in the direction of this county," Compton said.
When it comes to differences, affordable housing may top the list.
"So that’s one particular point of disagreement that I have with my opponent. Like almost every jurisdiction within California, whether county or city, there are these inclusionary housing ordinances. What they essentially do is charge a fee on developers when they’re building that then goes to a pot of money that is used by non-profit builders to build affordable housing," Paulding said.
But Compton says those fees will be passed on from the developers to the home buyers.
"There will be increasing fees, taxes, increases on your home. I just don’t believe taxing people to death is a way to make an economy prosper," Compton said.
Ultimately the decision is up to voters; voters who are growing increasingly frustrated by the bickering and disagreements of current board members.
"I was watching their board operate, watching our board operate and getting more and more frustrated and I was just driven to act and essentially take on the toxicity on the board," Paulding said.
"The way that I look at it, I wasn’t put on this board to just go along, to get along, to have civility. I was put on this board to fight for the residents of the south county," Compton said.
Another controversial issue in this debate is a big contribution from the Holland family to Paulding’s campaign. The donation totaled $40,000 to help support his run for office.
