Dear Community Friends,

It has been my privilege to serve as your Mayor during this current term and as your Councilmember for the 4 years preceding my being elected Mayor.

I write to you during one of the most challenging times for our City, as we continue to battle the devastating public health, social, and economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. I have made the decision to seek a second term as your Mayor. As a result, I am writing to seek your support in my quest to continue to serve the City of Morro Bay.

We must continue to preserve the unique small Harbor town nature of Morro Bay, while concurrently embracing change to improve our economic and financial position. Under my leadership the City has established new policies that have resulted in significant increases in our financial reserves that has allowed us to continue to provide core public safety services despite the devastating loss of revenues due to Covid-19. We have started construction of our new water reclamation facility, which will provide us with a new source of clean, reclaimed water for generations to come. Strong advocacy efforts by myself in Washington D.C. And Sacramento have allowed the City to obtain federal and state loan guarantees for the project at unexpectedly low interest rates resulting in debt savings to the City in excess of over 30 million dollars! We have also reduced our CalPERS pension liability through prepayments of several of our fund debts.

I will continue to advocate for sound fiscal policies, diversification of our economic revenue base, transparency in government, protection of our bay and Harbor, and expansion of our tourism (post Covid-19) and fishing industries.  I promise to continue to work hard to eliminate wasteful spending, further reduce our pension liabilities, support local businesses with business-friendly policy development, and complete our new water treatment facility. Finally, I will continue to support local police and fire services to protect our public safety.

My education includes a Doctor of Pharmacy, master’s in healthcare administration, and Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. My career has been in hospital pharmacy management, former hospital CEO/COO, and small business owner. (Former owner of Morro Bay Drug and Cambria Drug stores)

Being a senior citizen myself, it’s my passion to continue to provide our seniors with a significant selection of recreational opportunities through our Community center, new community swimming pool, while also expanding opportunities to experience spiritual, emotional, and physical health improve.

Thank You,

Dr. John Headding