Election Day is quickly approaching, and my campaign has been running well – in spite of the attempts by some of my challengers to cast aspersions on my character.

As I continue to walk the neighborhoods and listen in and talk with San Luis Obispo residents, I’ve been gratified by the unstinting support from those of you who have known me and worked with me in the past. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have empowered me to be a “leader who listens,” continually engaged in learning how I can do a better job to serve you.

It has been a rewarding experience being able to represent my friends and neighbors of San Luis Obispo. Together, we have accomplished many things that will benefit our community for years to come – new bike paths and open space, expanded homeless services, an Economic Development Strategic Plan as well as the Local Climate Action Plan. I strive at every occasion to be a good LISTENER: The best ideas are often those that we get from YOU, from the public, from our Advisory Bodies, and from my colleagues. I will continue to invite your ideas or opinions that you want your Council to hear.

Finally, let me invite you to join me and a fine crew of volunteers at the Graduate on Industrial Way in SLO on Election Night. The party starts after the polls have closed at 8 p.m.. You can expect a good time with wine, beer, and snacks supplied by the SLO County Democratic Central Committee as well as my campaign.

I am now a veteran of four campaigns for my own election, beginning twenty years ago when I ran for State Assembly (against Andrea Seastrand). People say politics has changed since then, that it has become more partisan and bitter, with a “no holds barred” approach toward attacking one’s opponents.

Maybe so. The last week has provided some evidence of that in my own campaign. I failed to return a donation of two bottles of wine from a friend and supporter, Adam Hill, who I’d invited as the guest of honor at our main campaign party on September  23. I disclosed this “non-monetary contribution” as required, and directed that we write a check back to Adam for the (assumed) value of the wine, about $30. The Tribune reports today that I’ve had to pay a $250 fine for having accepted a campaign contribution in excess of the $200 limit – basically we refunded too little, and too late, to avoid a technical violation of the law.

And as you saw in yesterday’s editorial in the Tribune, I had already received a “slap on the wrist” brickbat – though they reserved their most severe criticism for my opponent, Kevin Rice, for having generated these complaints in the first place!

I’m no stranger to getting brickbats from the Tribune, and I’m always willing to “own up” when I make a mistake. As the Tribune has stated, however, “we’re sick and tired of this self-righteous brand of ‘gotcha’ campaigning that blows the slightest misstep or misstatement out of proportion.”

I am anxious to get back to the issues as soon as possible – how to manage the growing presence of the homeless in our city; how to maintain the fiscal integrity of the City; how to continue to provide quality municipal services while maintaining reasonable utility rates.

I still have a few reusable “Re-Elect Ashbaugh” grocery bags, if you haven’t yet gotten yours – and we have a dwindling supply of yard signs too, so contact me. Naturally, we are still accepting contributions, too – as long as it is cash, and as long as your cumulative contributions won’t exceed the City’s $200 per person limit!