About twenty years ago, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors was not the political battleground it is today. Local news coverage was subdued, policy debates were focused, and while supervisors held opposing views, they generally prioritized civility and governance over grandstanding and partisanship. The board's nonpartisan structure was more than just a technical designation—it was a reflection of its working ethos.
That changed in 2015, when then–Supervisor Adam Hill, a liberal Democrat and two-year vice chair, was passed over for the ceremonial role of chair by a conservative-majority board. What was once a routine rotation became a flashpoint for ideological division. Since that moment, the tradition of consensus began to fracture, giving way to tribalism and political vendettas that have come to dominate the public narrative around the Board of Supervisors.
But it wasn’t always this way.
The Legacy of Katcho Achadjian
Before the board’s spiral into polarization, there was Katcho Achadjian — a symbol of how effective, humble, and nonpartisan leadership could be. The former District 4 Supervisor earned the nickname “the man in the middle” for a reason. He understood that bridging divides wasn't just about civility; it was about results. As a consensus-builder, he was instrumental in resolving major issues like the Dalidio Ranch project (which later became San Luis Ranch) and played a pivotal role in preserving the county-run General Hospital from closure in 1999.
His decisions weren’t guided by party loyalty or ideological purity. They were shaped by his deep understanding of community needs. A first-generation immigrant, Achadjian started by working at a Shell station in Arroyo Grande before eventually owning multiple service stations along the Central Coast. His small business background wasn’t just a campaign bullet point, it informed his political pragmatism and his ability to relate to working-class constituents.
Achadjian was praised by both the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Small Business Association for his pro-business policies, but what truly set him apart was his heart. His leadership style was grounded in listening, compromise, and always putting people before politics.
A New Generation with Familiar Values
Today, two local leaders are poised to reintroduce that spirit of nonpartisan problem-solving back into county government: District 4 Supervisor candidate Adam Verdin and former SLO Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Dantona.
Verdin, like Achadjian, has deep roots in District 4. Raised in Oceano, Verdin helped run his family’s business, Old Juan’s Cantina, before becoming co-owner. He guided the business through the COVID-19 pandemic while advocating for the broader needs of small business owners struggling to survive. Verdin has lived the local experience, understands the pressures facing working families, and knows how to navigate challenges without succumbing to ideological distractions.
More importantly, Verdin is reviving the lost art of listening. He’s voiced strong support for affordable housing and understands that leadership in District 4 means advocating for pragmatic solutions that serve everyone — regardless of political affiliation.
Jim Dantona brings a complementary background. As head of the SLO Chamber, he steered the organization through the turbulence of COVID-19 with strategic planning and compassion. Under his leadership, the Chamber helped push for regional transportation upgrades and more affordable housing — critical infrastructure for a healthy, sustainable workforce.
Dantona’s support for revising the inclusionary housing ordinance in 2019 helped generate an estimated $1 million annually for new affordable housing projects. He understands, perhaps better than anyone, that economic development cannot exist without housing stability. Like Verdin, Dantona leads with the needs of the community, not the party line.
Why Affordable Housing Is the Defining Issue
The core issue that binds these two leaders together — and that should bind the board— is housing. According to the Housing Trust Fund of San Luis Obispo County, only 10% of households in SLO County can afford the median-priced home, which sits at a staggering $930,000. That makes us the second least affordable county in California. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a siren.
Essential workers — nurses, teachers, mechanics, and line cooks — are being priced out of their own communities. Businesses are struggling to hire. Entire sectors of our economy are teetering on the edge, not because of inflation or global forces alone, but because we have failed to create an environment where people can afford to live and work.
If we don’t act now, our economic engine will stall. We’ll see a rise in homelessness, an exodus of young families, and a growing divide between those who can afford to stay and those who are forced to leave.
Verdin and Dantona understand that this isn’t just about zoning or density —it’s about the soul of San Luis Obispo County. They are not looking for shortcuts or scapegoats. They are looking for real solutions, driven by data and community input.
A Path Forward
We need to move away from performative politics and return to the kind of public service that Katcho Achadjian embodied, which was grounded, pragmatic, and nonpartisan. That kind of leadership doesn’t scream the loudest. It doesn’t showboat for headlines or social media “likes.” It does the quiet, unglamorous work of making government function for everyone.
I’m confident that with Adam Verdin and Jim Dantona stepping forward, we're reclaiming a lost standard of leadership. A leadership that listens, that finds common ground, and that fights for a future where SLO County is not just livable—but thriving.
It’s time to bring consensus back.