Candidate for
Council Member; City of Fremont

In Fremont, we need to create a better place where people shop and live by investing in our historic districts to enhance what makes our neighborhoods special and enabling our businesses to develop without over-regulation. No "flower pot taxes".

Issue #1: Utility User Tax.

I do not support the UUT which will appear on the ballot on November 2nd. I support the council's efforts to present a financial solution to the voters in November. However, the city needs to live within its means as the perception exists that more can be done to cut expenses. Having said that, I recognize the budget has been severely impacted by state takeaways. I agree with Council member Steve Cho that we need to work on legislation that will raise Fremont's share of property taxes to an adequate level, one that is consistent with other cities in the state. To make up for anticipated shortfalls, the city should have been more proactive with a solution that would have specifically addressed essential  fire and police services, all the while opening a line of communication with business and citizen interests long before ballot mandates. Having proposed this tax without adequately consulting the community was poor execution and is proving to be unacceptable to the citizens and businesses of Fremont.

Issue #2: Economic Development / Redevelopment

Part of the long term financial solution for the City of Fremont is attracting retail business and the associated sales tax revenues. I support the concept of creating a Downtown Fremont, (CBD: Central Business District) but not at the expense of our historic districts. Let's focus city efforts on the historic districts, and let private development drive the CBD. Under the best case scenario, the CBD is 5 years away. The Centerville redevelopment project will not have a grand opening until 2007. We need to embrace a long term vision for our city, but more needs to happen now to attract business. Council must be proactive and engaged in this process.  Our council must act as good will ambassadors actively pursuing the type of retail business our citizens desire. We all know a healthy business community creates economic vitality. Redevelopment needs to assist business, new and existing, cutting the bureaucratic red tape often associated with the process. Staff costs should be limited to a fraction of project costs, avoiding the perception that staff is justifying its own existence.

Issue #3: Our relationship with our neighbors

I have been asked why this is a priority in my campaign. Not only is it important that the relationship between Newark and Union City be cordial and honest for the obvious reasons, but for our financial health as well. I believe that the greatest potential for solving our budget problems lies in partnering with our neighbors. All three cities are performing the same services within their respected communities. We need to regionalize certain services within the Tri-City area. For example, we need to create a Tri-City Maintenance Company that will serve all three cities from one large corporation yard. In time, a Tri-City Public Safety Department could serve all three cities.  I believe we could once again localize our dispatch services with people that know our community. There exists a huge duplication of effort on the part of our three cities, and we need to look into the future and consolidate where ever possible. This can only be accomplished through honest and cordial relations with Newark and Union City.

Issue #4: Residential Development

It is recognized that the city must conform to the approved housing element of the general plan and state mandates. However, it is also the utmost importance that we recognize the integrity and character of our neighborhoods and work to preserve a high quality of life within those neighborhoods. The effects of additional housing in our neighborhoods needs to be researched as to how it will impact our schools, traffic and overall neighborhood impact. We have to wrestle with state mandates when they negatively impact our quality of life and craft solutions that successfully blend these mandates with our goal of neighborhood integrity. I support high quality, affordable ownership housing as we need to help those working in our city be at home in our city. This means we have to look at non-traditional densities for our city and create scenarios that balance the economics of the project with the desires of the people living within that neighborhood.