Dictator Governor Gavin Newsome’s overly strict COVID mandates have negatively impacted hundreds of towns and communities throughout the state of California. The evidence is everywhere. Just look at the many towns and cities around the state of California impacted by his decree. Commercial vacancies abound in every community, as the number of commercial vacancies has skyrocketed!

Recently I drove through the downtown sections of Escondido, Oceanside and La Jolla, California. It was stunning to see the number of closed and vacant commercial sites around these local communities. Having lived in San Diego most of my life, I have never witnessed anything like it. La Jolla was especially astonishing. This seaside community is famous for its tourism and attracting visitors from around the country.

Girard Avenue is the main commercial street in the community of La Jolla. I recently drove through this street and noticed there were 13 commercial sites that had signs on them seeking new occupants and tenants. This well-known main street has a history of being sought after for all type of small businesses. In the past when one business moved out, another one was quick to replace it.

It is equally shocking to see the large number of vacancies in downtown San Diego. In fact one, once popular, huge commercial building that housed dozens of small businesses is now in the process of being torn down.

As a former bank small business lender, I am astonished how Gov. Newsome’s policies have devastated my state’s economy. I can understand placing some customer restrictions such as partial occupancy for a business but to totally close these businesses and shops is unwarranted.

Many small businesses are financed by individuals or small companies. In many cases these owners put their entire life savings and assets into these endeavors. When they are forced to close their business they lose almost everything they have, not to mention the employees they have to let go.

In another case in point: look at the movie theaters around your state. Most are closed. I tried to view a TCM classic movie recently and found that there was only one theater within 100 miles available for limited viewing.

This goes also for churches and other popular businesses such as gyms and indoor pools. Why can Newsome and his friends have a social gathering but it is against California law to have a limited amount of people use an indoor pool? It greatly saddens me to drive by the local 24 hour Fitness gym and see no cars parked outside. This particular location has, in the past, been very popular.

Also why are some states partially opening up pro football stadiums but in California, no way! Even if the governor restricts crowds to 15% of occupancy, it’s better than none.

It’s time to expel this dictator from his office in Sacramento. We would have been better off if Republican John Cox (a California businessman) won in 2018. It’s time to support this future candidate (www.JohnCox.com ) for his expected run in the sunshine state for governor in 2022.