Rumors have been swirling for months, and now it’s official: Former Monterey mayor Clyde Roberson is throwing his hat back in the ring. And because current Mayor Chuck Della Sala won’t be seeking re-election, Roberson might just run unopposed.
“I would love that,” Roberson says, adding that if he does have to campaign, it will be strictly “grassroots.”
Roberson served two consecutive terms as mayor from 1983-1987, as well as two separate stints on the Monterey City Council, from 1981-1990 and 1996-2006.
One might have guessed the former elementary school teacher would have had his fill of politics by now, and in some sense, he had.
“It’s not something where I said ‘Hey, I want to be mayor again,’” Roberson says. “I’ve just had the urging of so many local businesses, residents and neighborhood associations asking me to run.”
The most pressing issue Roberson hopes to tackle is balancing the budget.
“We are spending a lot of money on outside consultants,” Roberson says, “and we’ve got to attack the big pension liability the city has.”
Another big issue he plans on addressing has been a concern since he was elected to city council in 1981: quality of life.
“There is talk about outsourcing and privatizing the library and the sports center,” he says. “No! We've got to protect our services.
Roberson also hopes to lead a city hall that listens to the people.
“I want to make sure the community feels they can trust city hall. I want to make sure we’ve got a lot open government,” he says. "I've always felt the residents are the experts on their neighborhoods, and they really need to be listened to before plans are passed, not after.”
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Clyde Robertson's Quote: “I want to make sure the community feels they can trust city hall. I want to make sure we’ve got a lot open government,” he says. "I've always felt the residents are the experts on their neighborhoods, and they really need to be listened to before plans are passed, not after.”
I hope he will clean up the City Council in Monterey. They sit on their behinds and never get anything done. They love to stroke each other and hera themselves talk. Businesses in Monterey had it. I talk to business owners daily. The decision making process to put up a small sign for example could take years. The downtown area is a mess, and the busuiness owners at the wharf are sick of this government not standing behind the business community to get things expedited. The homeless situation - and I am not speaking of helpless wounded Viatnam vets - but about 17 year old kids laying around everywhere smoking dope, offereing me dope all the time walking by, and some even driving nice cars like a Jeep Cherokee.
When Mr. Clyde Roberts talks about "neighborhoods," I strongly hope he is especially talking about business neighborhoods too!! Downtown, cannery row, and wharf busisinesses that bring in the money for the City of Monterey. I strongly hope he is planning to stand behind the business community and their immediate needs and requests in "their neighborhoods!"
For example, please read Chris Shake's (owner of Fisherman's Grotto and others) Article: "What you should know about Fisherman's Wharf" at: http://www.montereyherald.com/opinion/20141010/chris-shake-what-you-should-know-about-fishermans-wharf? You'll get the picture of what is going on now and here in Monterey.
That's great news! When I moved to Monterey County in 1981, I was delighted to see two years later that the City of Monterey's mayor was a biking mayor, Clyde Roberson. Clyde really gets what it takes to have a healthy city--in terms of the environment, economics, community relationships, and so much more. What a positive thing for Monterey that Clyde is willing to serve as mayor again. I encourage other grassroots activists to join me in spreading the good news about Clyde Roberson and what a wonderful mayor he will again make for the City of Monterey.
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