Community Building

By Beth L. Krom

By creating a more responsive government, we will build a stronger community

€We need new voices in city government, voices that reflect the interests and concerns of our community.

€Citizens have a right to expect leadership, advocacy and accountability from their public officials.

€Education, collaboration, negotiation and communication are essential to the effective administration of any organization. As a teacher, business owner and civic leader, I will bring strength in each of these areas to my work on the City Council.

€In our first thirty years, we have experienced tremendous physical growth. To evolve further as a city, we must address the internal chemistry of our city and invest our energy and ideas to expand our opportunities to grow into a fully evolved community.

€Irvine is a community of villages, but we must work together to face our common concerns. I would like to create a ³Community Council² with representation from all segments of our community, both geographic and demographic. Through interaction, education and idea sharing on important issues facing our community, this group could serve our city council in an advisory capacity and be a bridge to better understanding and greater participation throughout our community.

€When citizens demonstrate interest and make the effort to communicate their ideas and concerns to their elected representatives, they are owed more than the courtesy of time. I want to reach out to the community by conducting community forums, making myself available to attend homeowner¹s meetings, or inviting input from the community prior to the formal city council proceedings. I promise to listen with interest to community input, and educate myself fully on the issues before making decisions that will directly impact the health, safety and quality of life of Irvine¹s citizens.

€As a parent and former educator, I know the quality of our educational system is integral to the growth and future of our community. If elected, I would take a creative approach to exploring limited but important ways to provide targeted resources and strategic support to our school district. In addition, I would encourage and support the development of community partnerships between our schools, our civic organizations and the business community.

€I am proud of the services our city offers to citizens with special needs, be it our youth, our seniors or people with disabilities. I want to preserve and enhance these programs and ensure that meeting the needs of all Irvine citizens remains a priority.

€Irvine is a vibrant and diverse community. People have come to live here from all parts of the United States and every country in the world. Having been a model city in so many ways, we should welcome the opportunity to elevate our level of cultural awareness, community engagement and human understanding. As a member of the City Council,I would like to play an active role in expanding the programs, events and activities that bring us together as a community.