Candidate for
Council Member; City of Fresno; Council District 2

To my Friends and Fellow Concerned citizens,

The upcoming March election for a District 2 City council member presents us with the opportunity to bring fresh, new ideas to a city hall in desperate need of them. The question we really need to ask ourselves is whether we're happy with the way things are and with the direction we're headed in. Most of you that I`ve personally talked to answer that question with a quick and loud no.

As a businessman, farmer and one who has grown up and graduated from local schools, I feel I am uniquely qualified to make a change for the better. I've spent too many years watching our constant economic downturn. I share your frustration and deep concern for our city, which seems to become more and more undesirable as a place to live and raise a family. And I've watched too many politicians make promises they have no intention of keeping.

The city of Fresno has many challenges, but most of them are inter-related therefore are my key priorities. Our unemployment, our crime rate, the condition of our downtown area and our air quality are all at unacceptable levels. Lack of progress in any one of these areas adversely affects progress on the others and impairs our ability to achieve our economic development objectives. Elected officials need to be able to bring about a spirit of mutual cooperation when governing as many of these critical issues must be addressed through cooperation of a regional form of government.

All elected officials must always work to discharge their responsibilities to citizens in the most cost-effective means. History depicts competition as a good means of achieving efficiencies when those who work to deliver them cost effectively appropriately perform services. However at no time should privatization be unfairly used to undermine and cut wages and benefits of those in the public sector.

I believe that the next district two city councilman must have a broad, comprehensive vision for Fresno and its future. He must generate support from all segments of his community and have the political will to implement that vision. Council members must have the skills to bring people together, even those with different interests and viewpoints. He must be a consensus builder and always have the courage to speak the truth and do so with conviction and integrity.

Many people only talk about Fresno's potential, I want to realize that potential and make it a reality. My campaign is about forward progress in a positive and bold fashion. As a visionary in my desire to improve our city, I do not listen to nay Sayers as fear of failure does not scare me into inaction. I realize that failure is a factor of a lack of willingness to risk and work hard to achieve a dream. As any successful person will tell you, not everything the did succeeded. The difference is what was learned from these experiences. In Fresno, we've become immobilized by fear of not realizing our goals and consequently stopped being visionary, progressive and believing in ourselves as a city.

With your help, this will be my second attempt at this seat as I believe I have a strong chance of winning. I'm not running because I need a job, but because I care passionately about Fresno's future and instead of playing politics, I am ready and willing to devote the next four years to roll up my sleeves and get to work. In the 2000 primary, supporters like you did cast almost 4000 votes for me to succeed, but unfortunately we fell short by about 900 votes. But this time I am even more determined to strategize, plan harder and energize more voters to get out the vote.

I ask for your support and assistance in this election to help put Fresno back on track. In our heart and minds we know that Fresno has the raw materials to be a great city. While the next four years present us with strong challenges in terms of improving our police and fire services, bringing in new good paying jobs, cleaning the air we breathe, and holding the line on urban sprawl (to only mention a few challenges), it also presents the opportunity to become the city we only dream about now. An independent voice, fresh new leadership as what I will have to offer, will spell the difference between continuing with business as usual or taking innovative steps forward to realize our potential.

Once again, I hope you will consider supporting me in this election. Feel free to contact me at your convenience to discuss your concerns in greater detail. I can't do this alone. I need your ideas and thoughts, as well as your support. We have the greatest system of government in the history of the world and it works best when people like you and me are willing to invest a little of ourselves, our time and our resources in making it work. I look forward to talking with you soon and thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Tony Jaglassian Candidate for Fresno City Council, District 2