Candidate for
Council Member; City of Riverside; Ward 1

I'm Mike Gardner and I want to be your Council member. I am honest, hardworking and dedicated. I came to Riverside 36 years ago to finish my education at UCR and graduated the following year.

I have lived in the same house in the Grand Avenue - Wood Streets area of Ward 1 for 32 years. Prior to that I lived on Highlander Drive in the UCR neighborhood and on Chestnut Street downtown. My wife Joyce and I raised three children who graduated from Riverside pubic schools. I know the ward and its issues well.

I am a committed community leader. Most recently, I led the fight to block the sale of Tequesquite Park and the Market Street Frontage of Fairmount Park. Without a concerted community effort, the Council would have sold or leased this property to developers. It was a done deal, and we stopped it. Prior to that, I helped block efforts to build 1,100 housing units on and around Tequesquite Park. I was actively involved in the closure and capping of the old city landfill, and negotiated dirt hauling routes and schedules that reduced impact on our neighborhoods and schools.

I have been an active volunteer with the Riverside Fire Department for over ten years helping with public education programs and sitting on the Department's Disaster Preparedness Committee where I served as Vice Chair from 2000 to 2006 when the committee was dissolved. I served on the Mayor's Advisory Committee and was Vice Chair of the Quality of Life Subcommittee. I am an active responder for the Riverside Fire Buffs, a volunteer organization that on request brings refreshments to firefighters at major incidents. I have been President of the Fire Buffs since 2001. I served two terms on the Community Police Review Commission, and was asked by my fellow Commissioners to serve an unprecedented third term as Chair. I am an active member of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and served on a Division Board. In 2000, I was recognized by the City of Riverside as the Municipal Volunteer of the year.

My Beliefs:

• We need to be fiscally prudent and take care of our infrastructure and public safety needs before embarking on costly new civic improvement programs.
• We should not fund improvements by selling our park system
• We need jobs for the people who are already here more than we need new housing to attract more commuters
• Your City Council is here to serve you. It should be open, accessible and responsive. You do have the right to address the Council and to expect a respectful audience
• The City should not use eminent domain to take private property for redevelopment except in very rare circumstances. Private property which is used and useful should not be subject to eminent domain. More importantly, citizens should be able to trust that the Council will do what is right.

• I will return your phone calls
• I will listen respectfully to your opinion
• I will work to earn your in trust in City government
• I will pay attention to the entire ward, not just downtown
• I will tell you the truth
• I will spend your money carefully and thoughtfully with due consideration of your opinions
• I will represent, not dictate
• I will work to return the 17-acre Market Street frontage of Fairmount Park to control of the Parks Department
• I will NOT take your property for development if it is used and useful
• I will NOT make major decisions without consulting the voters If you have a comment, question, suggestion or concern please call me on my cell phone at 951-897-8660. I'll answer if I can. If I can't answer, leave a message. I will return your call within 24 hours. Thank you for your consideration. Mike Gardner