BOB'S LATEST FORUM OPEN/CLOSING STATEMENTS

By Bob Patrino

These opening and closeing statements were presented on Wed. October 20, at the San Ramon Senior Center

Hello and Good Evening.

I am honored to be here tonight. I will never turn down an invitation to visit with you here in our wonderful Senior Center.

San Ramon is a great place to live and work. It did'nt get that way by accident. We need strong leaders to be sure that San Ramon remains successful. Anyone can say they are a leader, but few actually deliver. Leadership is a habit, not an act.

Talk is cheap, actions speak louder. Supporting you is more than casting votes at a city council meeting. I have been worked side by side with you. Working to ensure the success of our senior center, working for our new aquatic center, working to build a skateboard park, and working to start new, innovative programs.

There are some here tonight who's goal is to divide our community. They are willing to destroy all we have worked together to achieve. They cultivate anger, bitterness , distrust and conflict. You should be tired of it, I know I am.

I won't promise you anything I can't deliver. Some of the ideas you will hear tonight sound pretty inviting, until you try to make them work. Most are not new, and are too expensive or risky. Don't fall for false promises.

My platform is pretty simple:

People, Parks and Public Safety.

I will represent families, youth, seniors, our vulnerable constituants , and the business community. I will always listen to you, Always.

I have spent all of my adult life in community service. I understand the value of parks, open space and leisure activities on our quality of life. I will never let those diminsish.

I am the only candidate in this campaign to emphasize the importance of public safety. You must be safe in your home, at work, in school, and on our streets is. I am very involved with DARE and our Community Youth Resource program. It is a top priority for me to assure superior levels of police and fire protection for our community. I support a ZERO tolerance for violent crime, graffitti, gangs and drugs.

You, are the lifeblood of our city. There is not problem that your participation cannot solve.

Take a few minutes before you cast your vote on November 2 and look at my qualifications, experience, and record. You will see for yourself who has the experience, leadership, commitment and ablility to lead San Ramon into the year 2000 and beyond Vote Bob Patrino, For People, Parks and Public Safety

Closing Statement

Over the last hour or so, you have had a chance to listen to my beliefs, background and vision for San Ramon. I hope that I answered your questions, but if I did not please call me at 828-8878. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you, and I will always be accessible and will listen to your concerns.

San Ramon has come a long way in her first 16 years. We have prospered and become the "jewel of the East Bay". We cannot take our continued success for granted.

It is very important that the citizens of San Ramon select the best possible leaders to guide us into the next millennium. This job is too important to leave to those who need " lessons" or "experience". We cannot afford the mistakes of "on the job" training.

This job is about cooperation, teamwork and people skills. To be successful you have to be able to work with everyone, even those you disagree with. If a candidate or councilmember does not have that ability, them we must show them the door.

Some of the candidates here tonight seem to firmly planted in the past, worrying about what we didn't do, or opportunities we missed. We can't go back and change history. We can only learn from our mistakes and be excited about the possibilities of San Ramon's future.

Like Mark Twain said, " Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did do" " So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor, Catch the tradewinds in your sails Explore, Dream, and Discover.

Discover with me, the future that we can build together.

Thank you for your time and for listening to me tonight.

I ask for your support.

Vote Patrino; for people, parks and public safety.