Candidate for
Council Member; City of California City

My purpose in running for City Council is to bring about the necessary evolutionary change that this city needs to progress to the next level of growth and potential. While past administrations have brought in the Rite-Aids, McDonalds and Radio Shack merchants, this falls far short of the life essential needs of a city of nearly 12,000. It is a travesty that this city as a whole is required to travel nearly 20 miles to the nearest grocery store. What's more, our population by doing so is investing their tax dollars in other communities rather than their own, valuable tax dollars that would properly fund local infrastructure.

I have spent the last 20+ years in the USAF developing the long range planning skills, the ability to think out of the box for solutions and lastly to omit from my vocabulary I/we can't do this. Having spent a career doing more with less, and fine tuning processes to maximize the bang for the buck, I'm ready to lean forward into this new challenge and seek out improvements for this city to make it self reliant, rather than special taxes required!

A systematic thought process must be developed to anticipate change and the future, rather than maintaining the status quo of being reactionary. Too many resources are being expended to plug the holes in the dike, rather than attacking the root causes. Special taxes have been requested/re-requested because the current administration has failed to act to bring in the right types of businesses that will provide the necessary tax base to fund infrastructure requirements. Grants have been sought to help more individuals to purchase homes, when the basic essentials of a town have been omitted. Why does this town consistently put the cart before the horse? Property taxes alone will not fund a community; they have not been successful yet, what makes anyone think they will be successful in the future. Our revenues do not cover expenses, and grants sought after for pipe dreams or not, never cover the costs, so we are required to dip into the general fund for the offset.

Therefore, my priorities post election will be -

- First: Boulevard beautification project to create an appealing atmosphere for future residents and businesses

- Second: Develop a committee to explore duplication of effort within city gov't and provide cost saving solutions

- Third: Accurately plan the systematic replacement of the sewer/water system, with addition of cable/fiber optics capability underground

- Fourth: Explore cost saving benefits of solar/turbine renewable energy for city governmental buildings and infrastructure

- Fifth: Pursue future park amenities for the children (skate park, bmx track, waterfall renaissance).

SUMMARY:

As viewed, this city has unlimited potential, however, the lack of crystal vision is obviously missing the targets of opportunities, while budgetary shortfalls are stifling the growth of this city. This city while showing some growth of new business has missed the mark of attracting businesses that will help the community to grow and pay for itself. At this time this community does not need a card room, what it needs is businesses that will attract future residents. It needs a cleanliness that will be a beacon to others that this is a nice town to settle down in. It needs a bureaucracy that is helpful to business instead of presenting an isolationist agenda. This town can do all of this, without loosing it's small town appeal.

My goal is to bring leadership and support to the council, to effect change for the prosperity and betterment of this community. If we build this town properly, they will come!