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San Mateo County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
Smart Voter

Enhanced City Services and City Revenue Growth

By Ann Keighran

Candidate for Council Member; City of Burlingame; 4 Year Term

This information is provided by the candidate
Burlingame today is facing cuts in city services and a poor financial outlook, while residents are being asked to make-up for lost business revenue. On City Council I will continue my focus on improving Broadway and our downtown business areas and will work with our Chamber and Improvement Districts to attract new businesses to the city.
CHALLENGES FACING OUR CITY TODAY
- Decreased and eliminated city services. Our library hours have been shortened, our police are being forced to keep evidence in a parking garage, Police Department staffing is at 1970s levels, our Fire Department has insufficient space for the men and women we count on to respond to our medical and fire calls, and City Engineering has inadequate funding to prevent city flooding. Funding for school crossing guards was cut last year and then reinstated only during an election year.
- City Council has done little to grow city revenue. Burlingame's revenue is in dire straights. Since 2002, during a period of regional economic recovery, we are still experiencing a decline in revenues from hotel occupancy and sales taxes and the City Council has done little to attract new businesses to the city. At the same time, residents are expected to make up for this revenue loss through increased property taxes, sewer and water rate increases, and repeated fee hikes.

MY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
-Finance decisions need to be made as part of the overall strategy for Burlingame. Short and long-term spending decisions should be made as part of a visioning process, tying strategies for our city's growth with our financial plan. My priorities won't change during an election year. What's important for Burlingame one year will be important for the city the next year as well. Police, fire, library, and public works staffing needs to be returned to levels that will meet the needs of our city. Small improvements to police, fire, and parks facilities will greatly improve the ability of the respective departments to perform their jobs. All of this can be done without further increasing fees and taxes.
-I will work to attract new businesses to Burlingame. To provide the level of city services we expect without increasing taxes and fees, we need to aggressively attract new businesses to the city. We need to grow the number of businesses downtown starting with a new Safeway store, expand the number of businesses on Broadway, and attract additional car dealerships (the source of 40% of Burlingame's retail sales tax). We also need to promote our existing businesses working with our Chamber of Commerce, BID, and DBID. We need an advertising campaign for Burlingame and our businesses + something as simple as a Burlingame gift certificate offered as part of a city ad campaign and redeemable at any city store could be used to drive more shoppers to our city.

Now is the time for a City Council that focuses on the revenue side of the equation while not increasing the financial burden on residents. Bringing more business to Burlingame will ensure that the city continues to thrive now and for a long time into the future.

Ann

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ca/sm Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 19, 2005 15:50
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