Why I am running for mayor of Arroyo Grande

October 23, 2026

OPINION by SEAN SCHUUR

As a candidate for mayor of Arroyo Grande in the Nov. 3 election, I pledge to bring practical leadership, responsible planning, and a strong commitment to the community I am proud to call home.

The blessings I have received from my faith, my family, my customers, and my community have been greater than one could ask for. To whom much is given, much is required. As such, I feel a responsibility to give back and serve our community. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve as Mayor of Arroyo Grande.

My campaign focuses on responsible growth, strong local businesses, safe neighborhoods, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and protecting Arroyo Grande’s unique historic and agricultural heritage.

Business experience: bringing people together and getting things done

As a longtime local mortgage professional, I have more than 20 years of business experience. I have been part of thousands of people’s largest financial decisions, helping families achieve the dream of homeownership.

In the mortgage business, I have to listen to our clients’ needs and goals while working within government regulations, lending requirements, and investor guidelines. I have learned how to negotiate, bring people together, and find solutions while still meeting the requirements that have to be met. Prior to my career in the mortgage industry, my experience was with large retailers working with budgets, staffing, and getting sales results.

My bachelor of business administration degree will also be useful as mayor to be a good steward of the community’s tax dollars and keep government accountable to you.

I will bring that same approach to our community: Listen. Understand the rules. Negotiate. Bring people together. Find a workable solution. Get it done.

Community service

I have been actively involved in the community, including serving as president of the South County Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, I was honored as Arroyo Grande Citizen of the Year.

My community involvement includes Rotary, 5 Cities Men’s Club, Elks, the Pismo Coast Association of REALTORS®, South County Chamber of Commerce, Central Coast Influencers/M6, Five Cities Fire Authority Foundation, Cuesta Crankers, New Life Church, Gideons, Leadership South County, South County Historical Society, California Central Coast Cops ‘N Kids, Welcome Home Military Heroes, Five Cities Homeless Coalition, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army South County, AMPSURF, Community Health Centers Foundation, Central Coast Women’s Council of REALTORS®, REALTORS® Foundation, and Junior Achievement.

I have served as president of the Pismo Chamber of Commerce and the Nipomo Chamber, and received the Nipomo Citizen of the Year award in 2012, along with supporting various other community organizations.

Arroyo Grande: open for business

As a business owner, I understand firsthand how policies, fees, regulations, and state mandates can make it more difficult for businesses to thrive, grow, and maintain their operations.

My experience with the Chamber of Commerce reinforced for me just how important our local business community is to the ongoing and future success of Arroyo Grande. When businesses thrive, our community thrives. Successful businesses also contribute to the City’s ability to provide services to Arroyo Grande residents. Supporting existing businesses while making Arroyo Grande welcoming to new businesses is one of the reasons I stepped forward to run for Mayor. We need to make Arroyo Grande a first choice for businesses looking to locate, grow, and invest.

Our Community Development Department should work with citizens, community leaders, property owners, and businesses to help attract and retain businesses in our community—including filling vacant retail spaces, restaurants, and office buildings. Doing this can increase local economic activity, strengthen the City’s revenue base, and create more head-of-household jobs. Let’s create a future where our young professionals don’t need to move away to find good-paying jobs.
Creating Business Synergy

We should look for creative ways to bring businesses and property owners together.

• Encourage artist and maker collectives in appropriate commercial spaces.
• Help home-based businesses that are ready to grow transition onto Main Street or other commercial locations.
• Work with property owners to identify opportunities for compatible businesses to share or activate underused spaces.
• Partner with regional organizations such as REACH and other economic-development partners to promote Arroyo Grande as a great place to live, work, and do business.
• Arroyo Grande should be open for business.

Water: a fresh approach for Arroyo Grande

Water has been a longstanding issue for Arroyo Grande. The drought from 2011 through 2017 showed just how vulnerable our community can be.

Today, the city relies on a combination of surface water and groundwater. Lopez Lake has historically provided approximately 60% to 65% of Arroyo Grande’s water supply, with groundwater providing much of the remainder.

For years, administrations, councils, and community leaders have worked on water planning.

But we need to ask an important question: Have we moved the needle far enough toward long-term water reliability?

I wasn’t part of the decisions that created today’s challenges, but I am willing to take responsibility for helping find solutions for tomorrow. Arroyo Grande needs to look at fresh approaches with new options.

Keeping communication open

Measure D-26 will ask Arroyo Grande voters whether the city should be allowed to participate in the California State Water Project without requiring prior voter approval for future participation. My personal position is that we need to keep the lines of communication open with the state and other water providers.

If I become mayor, I also believe it is my responsibility to listen to the voters. When the community votes on a ballot measure, that vote should help guide the direction of local government. The voters’ decisions should be respected and used as a guide for where we go next.

Multiple water solutions

• We need to aggressively explore multiple options, including:
• Partnerships with neighboring municipalities and water districts.
• Additional water-retention opportunities during periods of high precipitation.
• Continued exploration of reclaimed water.
• Long-term opportunities involving desalination at the county and regional level.
• Partnerships with local colleges, universities, businesses, and community organizations to develop innovative solutions.
• A regional Water Summit bringing together water agencies, farmers, environmental organizations, businesses, residents, scientists, and government leaders.

We cannot afford to wait for another drought; we need to continue to increase the priority of this issue.

Lopez Lake and regional cooperation

Lopez Lake is one of our community’s most important water sources and has historically supplied approximately 60% of Arroyo Grande’s water.

We need to work aggressively with the county and all appropriate agencies to find solutions to the ongoing legal, environmental, and water-management challenges surrounding our water system. We should also listen to people who have been directly involved in resolving other dam and water-management disputes throughout the state.

There are lessons to be learned about balancing environmental requirements with the need to responsibly manage and retain water. The goal should not be to fight with one another. The goal should be to bring citizens, environmental organizations, water agencies, farmers, residents, businesses, and government together to find workable solutions.

A different approach

I wasn’t part of the decisions that brought us to where we are today. I believe that gives me the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective, ask different questions, and work with everyone to find new solutions.

The question we should be asking is: What can we do differently today to make sure Arroyo Grande has a reliable water future tomorrow?

Fresh ideas, open communication, regional partnerships, and a willingness to consider multiple solutions can move us forward.

Safe neighborhoods, strong families, and infrastructure

We must support our fire and police departments. We need to ensure that our joint community agreements with all partners are equitable, especially our Five Cities Fire Authority agreements with the county.

We also need to ensure our police have the local laws and resources necessary to address homelessness, theft, and drug-related issues. We should work with the State on mandated housing requirements and building codes while taking into consideration citizens’ views, infrastructure needs, and available natural resources. During construction of projects, some accommodations for traffic flow are necessary. However, that does not mean all temporary traffic changes should be retained after the construction project is completed.

Under Measure E-24, we need to continue making infrastructure, road improvements, and emergency services priorities. Our planning should focus on improvements to roads, parks, public facilities, businesses, and housing while protecting our historic and agricultural heritage.

Measure C-26: cannabis business tax

Measure C-26 is on the Nov.3 ballot and would establish a local cannabis business tax of up to 10% of gross receipts on cannabis businesses operating in the city if such businesses are permitted. The city currently estimates the measure could generate approximately $500,000 annually.

However, if we look at cities in our county that only allow delivery services, the revenue appears to be approximately $40,000 to $50,000 annually.

Cannabis is already being delivered into our community. The question is whether Arroyo Grande should have the opportunity to receive some of the revenue associated with that activity and use it to help support local infrastructure and city services.

The city states that revenue from the measure would remain in Arroyo Grande’s General Fund and could support services including public safety, road maintenance, public works, infrastructure, and recreation. I believe having those resources available for our community is worth considering.

Ultimately, however, the voters will decide. As mayor, I would respect the community’s decision and use the vote as an important indication of how our residents feel about the issue.

I believe we can plan for the future while protecting what makes Arroyo Grande special. Our community should remain a place where families can thrive, businesses can succeed, and future generations can enjoy the character and quality of life that make Arroyo Grande such a special place.

The voters should have a voice—and as mayor, I will listen to that voice.