Candidate for
Council Member; City of Riverside; Ward 4

Dear Riverside Residents:

Like you, I am concerned about Riverside's future. Our city is growing at a rapid pace and facing all the challenges that accompany a city's need to wisely plan for the long term while meeting the very real and pressing needs of the moment. Realizing our city's potential will require creative vision, responsible leadership, and an accountability for making decisions that are in the best interests of our community. I believe we must act now to ensure that our voices are accurately and effectively represented in determining Riverside's future.

I am asking for your support as I campaign for the Ward 4 City Council seat. I pledge to bring you strong, clear and thoughtful leadership. I will work hard to protect your right to fully participate in the process of government and to keep you informed as progress is made on critical issues. I am committed to developing an innovative, bold vision for Riverside that creates the best and most productive uses for our city's resources.

I've been a proud Riverside resident for the last 23 years. I reside in the Orangecrest neighborhood with my husband, Calvin and our twelve-year-old twins, Nicholas and Bianca. I want to ensure that my children and all of Riverside's children can look forward to living in a city that has made wise choices in planning for the future and using and preserving our resources and assets.

My career has been spent in public service working with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, the Public Employees of Riverside County and most recently, the County's Human Resources Department. I understand how government works and what it takes to build consensus to set and achieve goals.

I also believe strong, vibrant communities are reflected by the commitment of their volunteers. I enjoy donating my time at the Riverside Ballet to assist during local performances and for fund raising activities. As a member of the Links, Inc., I've raised scholarship money for economically disadvantaged students, and as 2003 Chairperson of the Arts Facet, I developed activities specifically designed to expose young children to the Arts. I am active in voter registration/education, and I currently serve as president of the Business and Professional Women's Auxiliary at my church. I am a graduate of the Leadership Riverside class of 2005 and I was recently awarded the NAACP 2005 Community Drum Major Award for Government Service.

I look forward to meeting many of you and hearing your ideas about how we can successfully guide our city. I am prepared to work hard to earn the privilege of representing the people of Ward 4 and for the opportunity to work collaboratively with the entire Council, the Mayor and city staff.

Sincerely

Debrah Freeman