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Los Angeles County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
Smart Voter

The Government of the People, by the People and for the People

By Marta "Williamson-Cox" Kester

Candidate for City Council Member; City of Palmdale

This information is provided by the candidate
Our local government is no longer about the will of the people but about three votes vs. two votes and which political machine wins.
With only five people sitting on all our city agencies it t becomes more and more difficult to see the will of the people addressed. This effectively mutes the voices of 50,000 registered voters. The same five people appoint the planning commissioners for the city. This means the homeowners and property owners voices are muted in favor of large developers.

City council members sit on the:

  • Civic Authority,
  • Redevelopment Agency
  • Housing Authority
  • Appoint our planning commissioners

Thus, limiting our ability to expand our vision beyond sales taxes .
  • I propose it is time to have more diversity and brain power on the various agencies. We need more participation by members of the community so those positions should be filled with residents of Palmdale that do not represent real estate or developer interests This will make for a better community and better planning for the future.
  • I propose Planning Commissioners be elected, not appointed. It is time for us to let the people speak and have their voices heard, independent of who has the largest bank accounts and highest tax bills.
  • I urge each neighborhood, wheter East or West, Old or New to organize a homeowners association. Where there are numbers there is strength.

The truth is we all need and desire a better life for ourselves and our children. We all have a strong will to control our environment. The needs of Homeowners, Renters and Property owners do not have to cancel each other out. With my election to City Council I will work to ensure:
  • The voices of the residents will be heard
  • I will promote the formation of a coalition of Homeowners, Property Owners, and Renters (this will include Mobile Home Parks) to better address the needs and desires of the entire community.

We do not need political machines making our decisions for us. It is time for the voters to take back the government of the people by the people and for the people.

I have represented your needs and concerns to the city council and school boards for five years as President of OldTown Homeowners Group, Inc. I am well known for standing firm for rights of all residents in Palmdale and my fight to hold city councils, school boards, and sanitation districts accountable for their poor stewardship. Let me represent you officially, as your newest city representative.

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ca/la Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 18, 2005 15:14
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