WATSONVILLE — Jenni Veitch-Olson became the first candidate to file papers for the District 2 seat on the Watsonville City Council Friday, two days after Oscar Rios resigned from his post.
“We have a vibrant, healthy future ahead of us,” Veitch-Olson said. “I want to continue to serve my community in a way that represents all of our residents here.”
Veitch-Olson and her husband Robby moved to Watsonville in 2013, when Robby Olson became pastor of United Presbyterian Church downtown.
Since then, Veitch-Olson has been active in a number of boards and community groups, including serving on the CASA of Santa Cruz County Board of Directors and as chair of the Watsonville Parks and Recreation Commission. She’s also served on the South County Homelessness Steering Committee and the Mayor’s Youth Violence Prevention Task Force.
On Tuesday, the city council is scheduled to appoint Veitch-Olson to the Watsonville Planning Commission.
Upon moving to Watsonville five years ago, Veitch-Olson said she instantly “fell in love with this community.”
“We found people who were really passionate about this place and wanting to see something new and exciting,” she said. “That was infectious.”
If elected, Veitch-Olson said she has a list of priorities she wants to address. She wants the city to continue focusing on economic development, namely the downtown area.
“I would love to see the downtown thrive,” Veitch-Olson said.
She praised city officials for their work on revitalizing downtown, saying they are “taking steps in a positive direction.” She also noted the new development under construction near the Watsonville Municipal Airport, dubbed “The Hangar,” which will include a taproom, restaurant and other retail space.
“We have some really exciting development projects that are happening,” she said. “I would like to encourage those businesses and to attract small business owners who really are invested in our community.”
Veitch-Olson also said she would work on providing “safe and healthy places” for children and their families to come together, suggesting the city invest in park upgrades as a way to make that happen.
Tackling the issue of homelessness and housing availability is also on her list of priorities.
“I’m honored to be able to serve my community in this way, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” she said.
Robby Olson said he is “100 percent” behind his wife’s endeavor.
“I firmly believe she has great strength, intelligence, creativity and collaborativeness to offer the city council and Watsonville,” he said.
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The Special Municipal Election for the District 2 seat on the Watsonville City Council will be held on June 5. The nomination period, which opened Wednesday, closes on March 14.
Those interested in running must be registered to vote in District 2, and need to submit a nomination paper with 20 valid signatures of registered voters from the district.
The candidate who wins the election in June will fill the rest of Rios’ term, set to expire in December 2020.
For information, visit tinyurl.com/yd5mwko3.
