Candidate for
Mayor; City of Pacific Grove

It's time to break with the politics of the past. Pacific Grove needs a mayor that will listen to all the citizens, not just a few.

Since April I have been listening attentively to the residents of Pacific Grove by conducting the first ever Pacific Needs and Concerns survey. Residents expressed a wide array of concerns including protecting our natural resources, getting our budget under control, affordable housing for young and old, home-building reform and improving local business. Yet, one particular need stood out from all the rest: Fix the sewers and infrastructure, and do it sooner rather than later.

According to a consultant's report almost 45% of the total city sewer system is between 86 and 97 years old and has lived out its useful life. Under the current plan to repair the sewers, touted by my opponent, it would take well past the year 2025 just to fix the sewers built before 1916. We can't wait that long considering the numerous sewage spills we've had into the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary. We must make repairing sewers, storm drains and related infrastructure the top priority of our city.

In addition to the huge sewer problem the budget is out of control, with ending reserves plummenting. Our natural resources have also been compromised with massive tree cutting, the tidepools being left to fend for themselves and the proposed paving of Chase Park.

I have proposed a six point "Plan of Action" based on my own ideas and the information I received from my Pacific Grove Needs and Concerns survey to deal with each of these crucial areas. Included in that plan is my goal to reduce overhead in our government by an average of 2% per year over the next five years with all savings going to the infrastructure. The plan also calls for the expansion of the rental assistance program to help make affordable housing a reality for our residents, streamlining our home building permit process and improving local business. The latter through a new "Direct to Customer" approach in marketing Pacific Grove to tourists and locals. The plan is not the final say but it will be used as an outline to get our council prioritized.

As a resident of Pacific Grove with my wife Cheryl for over 16 years and former owner of KOCN-FM radio for 11 years, I have worked closely with every aspect of our government and non profit organizations. My 25 year background in Management, Business Ownership, Budget and Planning Analysis, and Problem Solving give me a keen eye with which to solve our city's most pressing Needs and Concerns. These diverse set of real life experiences give me a unique ability to lead Pacific Grove into the new century.

I promise an Open and transparent government dedicated to following the Ordinances and Charter of Pacific Grove. No more water for profit schemes. No more backroom deals.

My opponent says we need his kind of experience to lead Pacific Grove but what kind of experience have we had over the last 20 years of his kind of government? Nothing but sewage spill after spill, a mis-managed budget and our natural resources being destroyed. Additionally, he offers no plan or no ideas just his laurels. Friends, I say to you, experience without a plan is like a boat without a rudder. Unlike my opponent I bring successful real life experiences and a solid plan to the table.

These years of neglect have spawned a new commitment to real reform and to real change. We must protect the integrity of our city's infrastructure to perserve our citizenry's health and the vitality of our community. I look forward to leading Pacific Grove towards that goal.

Together we can make Pacific Grove a better place to live.