Friday, September 7, 2018

Times Standard Candidate Questions, Trinidad - Response

Good Morning. Thank you for covering our local candidates and for this opportunity.

I'm Mike Morgan, 54, and I reside in Trinidad at 560 Edwards Street. I moved to Trinidad, Humboldt County from San Francisco 14 years ago, and I own the Trinidad Bay B&B Hotel in town.

Inspired by longtime residents and new friends, I served as Member/Chairman of the City of Trinidad Planning Commission from 2006-2008 and then as a dedicated Councilmember to the City of Trinidad from 2008-2011. As a resident, I've volunteered hundreds of hours to our community - Trinidad Volunteer Fire Department- Captain Retired, Trinidad Area Chamber of Commerce- President, Humboldt County Lodging Alliance, Trinidad Museum Society, and I've worked many local projects such as remodeling/restoring Trinidad Town Hall and Trinidad Area cleanups/beautification. My Bed and Breakfast Hotel, the Trinidad Bay BnB, hosts more than 700 visitors a year. It is my greatest joy to share and care for Trinidad.

If elected, my priority is our bloated City Budget - specifically, planning for the possibility of our expiring Sales Tax.

Our Short Term Rental Ordinance is a decent solution for now, however enforcement, limits, and some residential discord hamper its complete success.

The best stimulation to our local economy would be renewed support for our local businesses. As little is done now, we could explore self-funded grants for promoting and sharing our city, reduce the ridiculously bloated budget so we can actually retire the "temporary" sales tax, increase enforcement and structure better coverage from our County Sheriff agreement, and just stop tearing up our streets and neighborhoods all Summer long year after year.

I believe going beyond tolerance and to acceptance of our area tribes and each other will require a redoubled effort by all. Treating each other as we would like to be treated, with mutual respect, kindness and forgiveness, is the only way forward to acceptance and a more peaceful, beautiful Trinidad.