Sustainable, Inclusive, Vibrant SLO

San Luis Obispo deserves a City Council member who has the vision and the experience to turn ideas into action. 

As a community advocate, professional planner, researcher, educator, and appointed planning commissioner, I've dedicated my life to advancing sustainable, inclusive, vibrant cities. My commitment is to engage in constructive debate, speak the truth, and show respect to everyone. I believe in listening to diverse opinions and doing my homework before I make a decision.

I envision a city where everyone has access to affordable housing, sustainable transportation, and green spaces. Let's work together to build a bright future for San Luis Obispo, where every resident feels heard, valued, and empowered. 

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I'm running for City Council because I want to give back to a community that has given me so much. Your donation will help me get my message out. Please contribute today and join me in making a difference!

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Endorsements

Erika A. Stewart, Mayor, San Luis Obispo
Carlyn Christianson, Former Council Member, San Luis Obispo
Dan Rivoire, Former Council Member, San Luis Obispo
Dawn Ortiz-Legg, Supervisor, District 3, San Luis Obispo County
Jimmy Paulding, Supervisor, District 4 , San Luis Obispo County
Pat Harris, Women's March San Luis Obispo Lead Organizer
Stephen Peterson, Former Planning Commissioner, San Luis Obispo
Billy Riggs, Former Planning Commissioner, San Luis Obispo
Jim Gardiner, Retired Chief of Police, SLOPD
Tom Fulks, Chair, SLO County Democratic Party
Erica Flores Baltodano, Esq., Candidate for School Board, SLCUSD, Trustee Area 6
Chris Steins & Mindy Oliver, Local Business Owners
John Thomas & Cynthia Green, Local Business Owners
Karl Deardorff, Local Business Owner
Erik Justesen
Sandi Sigurdson
Dan Conroy
Elaine Genasci
Josef Kasperovich
Brigetta & Tim Walsh
Tyler Coari
Sherry & Mario Jiminez
Johanna Andris
Noah Aragon
Drew Davies
Barry Rands

If you’d like to add your name to the endorsements list, just send an email to: boswellforslo@gmail.com

My vision for San Luis Obispo…

  • Abundant, protected open space

    • Complete the City's greenbelt protection and preservation plan

    • Prioritize habitat conservation and environmental protection

    • Ensure wildfire management considers long-term climate change

  • World-class city parks and recreation

    •  Make sure every child in SLO has access to safe, fun neighborhood parks

    • Expand opportunities for swimming, field sports, and other community needs

    • Upgrade City parks to be safer and more attractive

  • Affordable, quality housing

    • Continue to partner with community builders to deliver affordable housing

    • Strengthen renters rights that prevent unfair evictions and rent increases and ensure safe housing

    • Support ongoing programs to improve the lives of our homeless residents

  • Safe streets for everyone

    • Ensure kids can walk or bike safely to their neighborhood school

    • Complete all the City-identified priority bicycle, pedestrian, and accessibility improvements

    • Achieve the City goal of zero traffic deaths through better street design and increased enforcement

  • Vibrant local economy

    • Support the ImagineSLO.com vision for SLO as a place "that ignites creativity, celebrates diversity, and spurs innovation"

    • Champion a thriving downtown with local businesses, housing, and easy access

    • Support living wages and hiring of a local workforce

  • Sustainable future

    • Continue the city's legacy of smart planning for a sustainable water supply

    • Achieve the city goal of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2035

    • Plan for the next generation of San Luis Obispans

  • Inclusive, welcoming city

    • Advocate for and support high-quality, plentiful health care providers and services

    • Support expansion of childcare services

    • Celebrate our diversity, champion inclusivity, and practice civility

City Council members make hundreds of votes every year on a wide variety of issues too numerous to detail here. The list above is broad but it is intended to communicate the things I care about and the principles I will advance. If you have questions about specific issues I'm happy to address those; just ask! For some things I already have specific thoughts and positions, but regardless I want to do my homework, consult with the community, and carefully weigh options before making a decision. I'll let you know where I'm at in my thinking.

About Me

My wife Tammy Seale and I moved to San Luis Obispo 26 years ago when I joined the City and Regional Planning faculty at Cal Poly. We quickly fell in love with the beautiful open spaces, walkable downtown, and vibrant culture of SLO. 

We’ve lived in several different neighborhoods over the years. We were renters for the first 11 years, diligently paying down student loan debt and saving to buy a home (it was easier back then).

At Cal Poly, I’ve served two terms as department chair and conducted research on addressing the climate crisis and how cities can reduce carbon emissions and enhance climate resilience. I take pride in having educated hundreds of future city planners and making a positive impact on young people’s lives. I've collaborated on planning projects with organizations like the City of Morro Bay, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and UN-Habitat. I also co-authored a book about climate action planning for citizens and cities. 

Community service has always been a cornerstone of my life in SLO. I served for seven years on the City Planning Commission, including a term as chair. I supported projects such as updating the Conservation and Open Space Element and adopting the City’s first certified Housing Element. On the Local Revenue Measure Advisory Committee, I worked to assess city finances and budgets. As a board member for Bike SLO County, I advocated for safe routes to schools and sustainable transportation. Additionally, I helped establish the Central Coast Climate Collaborative and the SLO Climate Coalition.

I have a lifelong passion for the outdoors, enjoying activities such as camping, hiking, bicycling, and kayaking. Tammy and I like to participate in local cultural events, stroll downtown, and also appreciate spending time at home, relaxing with friends (and our two cats).

I love San Luis Obispo and am eager to give back to a community that has given me so much.