Candidate for
Council Member; City of San Fernando

I am a lifelong advocate, activist and retired LA County Deputy Probation Officer, and I am running as an incumbent for one of the three seats in the March 3, 2015, City Council election. I was elected during the Special Recall election held in November 2012, which resulted in a record turnout of the electorate, and my candidacy received the highest vote count in San Fernando's history.

As a legislative assistant and field representative, I became acutely aware of the inner workings of government and importance of intergovernmental relations to solving local and regional problems.

As an independent contractor, I learned the concerns faced by small business owners, and the day-to-day challenges of keeping a business sustainable.

As a Deputy Probation Officer, I honed my ability in negotiation, understanding the law in action, and making considered decisions about the lives of others.

These are all skills I brought to the City Council.

Since the Recall Election, new businesses are cropping up all over because of the new atmosphere felt throughout the City. And, because the voters trusted this City Council to be dedicated stewards, they chose to extend a small sales tax, which has brought an influx of money into city coffers to support city services. These factors have helped restore faith in our city government.

I have never shied away from the tough decisions, and have made myself accessible to residents and business owners whenever possible. I have led the Council to change the way it had been doing business for many years, through experience and innovative choices. Clean and safe streets are ongoing concerns, as are City services administered through City Hall and our parks.

Two of our greatest needs are jobs for our youth and housing they can afford. I will work to make these a reality. I will also fight as hard as I can against the destructive high-speed rail route through our city.