There are two City Council seats in Lompoc being contested in the upcoming election; one is for mayor and the other for the 1st District, on the north end of the city.
The only qualification to run for a City Council seat is to be at least 18 years old and a registered voter. The mayor’s seat is an at-large election, meaning that the majority of all registered voters in the city limits will select the winner, but the 1st District seat will only be chosen by registered voters within the district boundaries.
There are other factors to consider when you make your choice. First, does the candidate have any experience in government either as an elected or appointed representative. Second, does that candidate have any issues that may cause you to question their ethical standards.
In the 1st District race, Patrick Wiemiller has a lengthy history of public service in all levels of municipal government.
Wiemiller originally came to Lompoc from the city of Fresno where he was the Public Works director and managed several hundred employees and a multimillion-dollar budget. While city manager in Lompoc, he managed both the general fund (public safety, streets, and parks) and the enterprise fund (solid waste, drinking water, wastewater, and electric service).
He was, and still is, well respected as an even-handed manager by all the employees of the city and present and former members of the City Council. Following that, he was assistant city manager in Santa Maria and currently works as a consultant to assist and evaluate municipalities all over the state.
The first order of business for the City Council following the swearing in of the new council in January will be the next two-year city budget. When elected, Wiemiller, with years of experience in public budget preparation, will be ready to engage in the debate. His understanding of the very lengthy list of funding sources, costs of running general and enterprise fund projects, and mandates from Sacramento would enable him to quickly and effectively analyze staff recommendations.
In this election there is one clear choice—Patrick Wiemiller, in view of his public record, is by far the most qualified candidate that has ever sought a seat on the council dais.
Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a letter for publication to [email protected].
