Candidate for
Council Member; City of San Diego; Council District 6

Balance the Budget

San Diego is in financial crisis.

I believe we need to live within our means as a city. We need to balance the city budget and eliminate special interest subsidies which have led to skyrocketing labor costs. Its time to focus on our crucial core city services that directly impact the quality of life for our citizens. We can only do this by initiating a department by department efficiency review and then make the necessary hard choices for reorganization. The time is now to start holding politicians accountable. Please join me in my fight to balance the city budget.

Restore Ethics and Integrity to City Hall

During my campaign I have walked every community in this district, and have heard the same complaint time and time again. People are sick of the special interests running the city and of the backroom deals that are now infamous in San Diego. I have not taken any campaign contributions from special interests groups. It is time for the citizens to have a Council Member at the table who is not beholden to his or her donors. Lets put the politicians feet to the fire when they act in an unethical manner.

Fix San Diego's Roads and Infrastructure

San Diego's politicians were asleep at the wheel while our roads, sewer systems and public buildings decayed. The roads are congested because of poor planning and deferred maintenance. I will ensure that funds intended for street maintenance actually go to street maintenance. Please join me in the fight to repair our roads and streets.

Enhance Public Safety

Fire protection should be a top priority--I will insist on full funding and efficient use of tax dollars for Police and Fire services. I will hold the line on overtime and labor costs to ensure that San Diego has adequate numbers of police and firefighters on active duty. I will insist that our city receives its fair share of Prop 172 funds for public safety equipment.

Protect the Environment and Preserve Open Space

We are so lucky here in San Diego as we are blessed with beautiful beaches and our wonderful Hiking Trails. I will strive to protect these treasures to ensure they are available for recreational enjoyment by all. We need to preserve our open space so that can be enjoyed by the next generation of San Diegans. Let enact a broad plan to repair our water and sewer lines so as to improve the quality of our drinking water and stop sewer spills from polluting our bays and beaches. Please support me in protecting our environment.

Pay Down City Debt

It costs the city several billion dollars for retiree pension and health care costs, several more billion in unfunded environmental liabilities, and around 1 billion in deferred maintenance liability for infrastructure. I support the Five Year Plan unveiled by Mayor Sanders to begin the pay down of the debt. We have to face this problem head on. Only an independent council can make the hard decisions necessary to save our city from bankruptcy.

Why Am I Running

I'm running for the 6th Council seat because I feel I can bring the voice of the people and small business community back to City Hall. We all know that the city is in the middle of a fiscal crisis. The special interest groups parade out their selection for you to vote for in every election with the same result. They are protected, while the voice of the taxpayer and small business person goes unheard. I intend to break this pattern. A council District is small enough that I can walk every precinct meeting the people and hearing their concerns. I have had an extraordinary response to date. I have over 50 small business in this district supporting my campaign, and several hundred additional endorsements from individual voters in the District. I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail.