Vote "NO" this November
Official Press Release against the Recall Initiative of Daniel Rushing
Grover Beach City Council District 2
As the representative to the Grover Beach City Council for the voters of District 2, it has been an honor to serve, support, and protect our community. As a council member, every action I take serves to further my passion to ensure a safe, vibrant, and prosperous city. I have developed and supported innovative solutions to help our unhoused population secure shelter and support, approved over 100 new housing units help create more affordable options for our residents, helped secure millions of dollars to help fund the revitalization of Grand Avenue, secured the funding and organization for the Five Cities Fire Authority, ensured our Police department has the resources to adapt, grow, and provide best in class service to our community, and so much more. We did this all while maintaining a balanced budget, with healthy reserves.
Part of securing the safety and future of Grover Beach is ensuring we have a reliable source of water. After years of drought, our only two sources of water were stretched to the breaking point. While the last drought is over, there will be more in the future and all signs point to them lasting longer and occurring more often. In December 2023 I voted to increase water rates in the city to help ensure that we are prepared for future droughts with a recycled water project known as Central Coast Blue. At the time of that vote, years of research and study had concluded that this project was the best option available to ensure our city’s water resiliency.
Unfortunately, as with so many other projects in recent years, after the December vote we learned that the estimated costs for this project had far exceeded expectations. With this new knowledge I voted to remove Grover Beach from the Central Coast Blue project and to revert our city’s water rates to their original levels. We still need a solution to protect against future droughts, but Central Coast Blue is no longer the right option.
It seems the proponents of this recall wish to remove me from office based on this vote in December. It was a vote that I made using the best information available at that time, supported by years of study and regional support. When it became clear that Central Coast Blue was no longer viable, I reversed my position in response to the new information available.
This recall is an attempt to silence my voice and the majority of District 2’s voters who put their faith in me to make the hard decisions required to protect our future. Using misleading arguments, propaganda, and a general mistrust of civil servants, the proponents of this recall have deepened our divides as a community and are actively working to disrupt our city’s ability to fortify our essential services, resources, and potential.
I look forward to further connecting with the voters of District 2 in the coming months to hear their concerns, help find solutions, and share my thoughts on the future of our community. With your help, I hope to continue the good work for the City of Grover Beach and ensure our city is ready for the challenges that are still ahead.
Thank you!
-Dan Rushing
Who is Daniel Rushing?
Daniel was appointed to the City Council in the spring of 2021 and elected to the council in 2022.
In his time on Council he has served on the boards of REACH, Visit SLO Cal and the Zone 3 (Lopez Lake) Advisory Committee, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), and was the chair of the Five Cities Fire Authority Board.
He is a California native, a 20 year resident of Grover Beach and has worn a variety of hats over the years of his career... all of which led him to this point in life's journey.
He has worked in marketing, and copyrighting. He spent years in kitchens working in local restaurants and as a personal chef, and spent nearly 15 years as a wholesale sales representative and sales manager to our local restaurant and wine community.
In 2021 Daniel took the leap to follow his heart and accepted a position as a fundraiser for a local non-profit organization, providing local youth with after-school programs and mentorship throughout Northern Santa Barbara and SLO Counties. Since late 2023 has continued his commitment to education and philanthropy by joining the amazing team at Cal Poly's College of Engineering.
Together with his wife and daughter, Daniel loves attending concerts in the park, hiking, painting, cooking and connecting with his Grover Beach neighbors.
How has he helped Grover Beach?
In his work with the City Council and the various boards he serves, Daniel has achieved many successes since taking office in 2021.
Helped maintain a balanced budget with ample reserves.
Worked to amend and update our codes to allow for increased housing density and ease our community's housing shortage
Helped create more affordable housing options, including approving a new 53 unit affordable housing complex
Authorized the purchase and ground lease of a new transitional housing project for our community's unhoused population
Supported multiple non-profit and local-business grants and programs to help our community heal from the trauma of the COVID-19 era.
Advocated for and achieved a new, safer, crosswalk to Grover Heights Elementary School.
Increased our community's safety by securing extra Fire Service staffing and a multi year labor contract
Supported our Police by ensuring they have access to the best training, resources, and compensation possible.
Helped bring millions of dollars in grant funding to make long overdue major street repairs possible.
And much, much more!
Who's supporting Daniel?
Check out our constantly growing list of local endorsements!
Anna Miller, Former Grover Beach City Council Member
Bob Perrault - Former Grover Beach City Manager
Caren Ray Russom, Arroyo Grande Mayor
Clint Weirick, Grover Beach City Council Member
Dawn Ortiz-Legg, SLO County Supervisor
Dawn Addis, State Assembly Member
Democrats of San Luis Obispo Club
Desi Lance, Former Grover Beach City Council Member
Don Stewart, Trustee, LMUSD
Grover Beach Police Officer's Association
Colleen Martin, Trustee, LMUSD
IAFF Local 4403 - Five Cities Professional Firefighters
Jeff Lee, Former Grover Beach Mayor
Jim Guthrie, Arroyo Grande City Council Member
Jimmy Paulding, Arroyo Grande City Council Member and incoming SLO County Supervisor
Karen Bright, Grover Beach Mayor
Kassi Dee, Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Commissioner
Lan George, Arroyo Grande Council Member
Mariam Shah, Former Grover Beach City Council Member
Rachel Mann, Grover Beach Planning Commissioner
Robert Robert, Grover Beach Mayor Pro Tem
Todd Tuggle, City of San Luis Obispo, Fire Chief & Grover Beach Resident
SLO County Democratic Party
South County Democratic Club
Steve Lieberman, Retired Five Cities Fire Authority Fire Chief
Vicki Meagher, Trustee, LMUSD
Zach Zimmerman, Grover Beach City Council Member
*Position titles are for identification purposes only