Candidate for
Mayor; City of Oceanside

I believe that Oceanside has a promising future ,that it is a city full of opportunities standing on the threshold of possibilities, but only with the right leadership!

If elected I will bring vision, thoughtful leadership, and the energy to tackle the tough issues that will impact the future quality of life in our community.

During the past six years, I have done my best to champion issues to help make our city a better place.

I am proud to state that:

• I promoted the City Charter initiative approved overwhelmingly by Oceanside residents, which saves our city millions of dollars every year.
• I helped bring the Veterans Administration Medical Clinic to Oceanside.
• I supported city parks and bicycle trail expansions along with the Bicycle Master Plan Update. Oceanside has been recognized at the Bronze level by the League of American Bicyclists for being a Bicycle Friendly Community.
• I helped to reduce fees and regulations for our citizens and our businesses to promote economic growth and job opportunities.
• I advocated for government employees to contribute more toward their own pension and benefits. I will continue to push for future pension reform that further reduces the burden on the taxpayers of Oceanside.
• I support public-private partnerships to supply services ...when feasible.... to lower costs, while maintaining the level of service our citizens demand and deserve.
• I have made recommendations to streamline our local government, and will continue to bring forward recommendations to reduce government intrusion into our lives. I would like Oceanside residents to know that there is no single issue more important to me than putting people back to work and growing our economy. As Mayor, I will do my best to increase job opportunities for Oceanside residents of today and tomorrow.

That's why, as Mayor I will focus on transforming Oceanside into a center for entrepreneurship and creativity. Successful recruitment of firms in the biotechnology, design, health care, information and digital technology sector will require investments in our transportation infrastructure and creating a supportive business environment.

I will reach out to the current business community and see how we, as a city, can address their needs and help them succeed. WE MUST work together to transform Oceanside's economy into a center for entrepreneurship, commerce and jobs.

Making this vision a reality requires partnerships with our colleges , our hospitals, and our existing businesses. Two of the largest employers in the City of Oceanside are Tri-City Hospital and MiraCosta College. These employers bring talent, scholarship, and new ideas. They provide hundreds of jobs to workers from all over North County and are key to Oceanside's economic engine, and will be vital to our economic future. I will build upon the existing relationships and work collaboratively to ensure that new opportunities and new expansion benefit all stakeholders.

That's why, as Mayor I will have the opportunity to personally serve as Oceanside's chief ambassador, and work toward marketing Oceanside as a destination location to vacation, or bring your business.

We need to retain the businesses that are here, AND recruit new businesses to locate in Oceanside. When we talk about recruiting new businesses, we must be clear about one thing, to be effective in retaining and recruiting, we must first reform the way City Hall interacts with the business community.

Sometimes, the best thing City Hall can do is get out of the way.

That's why, as Mayor I will continue to streamline the regulatory process. The Planning and Development, Inspections, Zoning and Licensing Departments all need to be managed more efficiently. and more effectively so that the process required to do business here is clear, fast and predictable.

We must remain competitive with other cities throughout the region by holding the line on taxes and fees.

That's why, as Mayor: I will be governed by a commitment to collaboration. Together, we can build a community that honors individual achievement, neighborhood security, economic growth, corporate excellence, and government efficiency.

The plan I've touched on will do that. But it won't be easy. And it won't happen overnight. And it won't happen without your help!

The Mayor can create the economic environment for growth, but only entrepreneurship, private enterprise and hard work can truly get our economy moving again.

With your help, we will move Oceanside forward. My focus will be to provide engaged leadership that offers real solutions that produce real results for the community. Talking isn't enough, Oceanside residents need a leader who will deliver outcomes that improve our city.

Today I ask for your support.This is a critical election for Oceanside families and taxpayers. Please vote for the future, Please vote on Nov. 6th for Jerry Kern.

Thank you.