Candidate for
Council Member; City of Indio

GUADALUPE "LUPE" RAMOS WATSON NEW LEADERSHIP AND HIGHER STANDARDS FOR INDIO CITY COUNCIL

I'm Lupe Ramos Watson, a businesswoman, wife, and mother who is a candidate for Indio City Council in the November 2nd 2004 General Election.

The City of Indio at one time existed in the shadow of our more well-known neighbor, Palm Springs. Today, with a population of over 55,000 people, Indio has 13,000 more residents than Palm Springs. Indio is the largest, and fastest-growing city of all the nine cities in the Coachella Valley.

People are discovering what all of us who have made our homes here already know: Indio is a great family and retirement community.

With growth, come challenges. The State budget crisis has impacted our city's revenues. The State, since the early 1990's, has raided our property taxes - and all cities' property taxes - to fill its budget deficits.

I'm a fiscal conservative and a tax fighter who opposes new taxes. I will work diligently as your City Council representative to fight to keep our property taxes here in Indio, working for our community. I support Proposition 1A on the November ballot. Prop. 1A, if approved by the voters, prevents the State Legislature from taking and using local government funds, and helps to protect funding for vital local services like public safety and law enforcement, parks, libraries, and transportation.

It is clear to me that our local taxes don't belong to the State, they belong to our local citizens!

It's time for Indio to take a strong leadership role as the largest city in the Valley. We must have more open government and protect our quality of life. More open government means that the people we represent - the Citizens of Indio - must be better informed about city decisions.

• We need to develop short-and long-range planning in full public view so that our taxpayers are informed about proposals to develop the city;
• When our aging streets and infrastructure will be upgraded and repaired, and completed, and at what cost.
• What benefits our citizens will realize from developer fees to improve our neighborhoods, facilities, schools, and services.
• What the city is doing to increase business and jobs, and to grow the local economy in Indio;
• How we are going to strengthen and increase public safety as our city grows;
• How we are going to cost-effectively provide increased and/or improved services, parks, and facilities for our seniors, families, youth, in the next 5, 10, 20 years to keep our quality of life shining in Indio.

I oppose tax increases and any undisclosed fees. As a fiscal conservative and a community advocate, I offer a higher standard of leadership for the Indio City Council. I will fight for the right of all citizens to have their voices heard at City Hall. I would appreciate your support. Please vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd. Thank you.