CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN BROCHURE

By Jeffrey A. Flathers

This is the text of Jeffrey Flathers' message to Pacific Grove voters for his 2004 election campaign.

FOR OUR COMMUNITY

FOR OUR FUTURE!

MY FELLOW CITIZENS OF PACIFIC GROVE:

I stand before you as a candidate for our city council because it is time for a change. It is time for the people to take back the reins of a misguided city council, and to restore the trust we crave in our local government. Indeed, the time has come for a new generation of leaders to step forth and put Pacific Grove back on a track of fiscal responsibility, and of respect for all our residents. I ask for your vote this November 2nd. I will be your champion on the council. Mine will be an ear that will listen to your ideas and concerns. Mine will be an eye that will watch out for your interests. Mine will be a plan that will help put us back where we need to be as a community. I humbly ask for your kind support.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

The current city government has spent us into a $2.1 million deficit that threatens our city's economic future. Rather than deny the deficit, as the current administration continues to do, we must rise to confront the challenge. An overpaid city staff comprises the main cause of the current monetary shortfall. On the council I will spearhead the drive to rationalize municipal employment and to bring salaries back in line with those of other Peninsula cities. We must stop paying our employees a 30% premium to Seaside and Monterey. Here is a list of average current compensation packages, benefits included, of full time employees at nine Pacific Grove departments. Do you agree we are paying too much for these services?

DEPT. FT STAFF AVG. ANNUAL COMPENSATION FIRE 17 $150,830 CITY MGR.3.5 $128,000 MUSEUM 2 $117,986 POLICE 32 $115,144 COMM. DEV9 $95,398 CEMETARY1.1 $85,341 GOLF 8.65 $85,305 LIBRARY 7.75 $83,739 SEWER 3.9 $82,324

Pacific Grove has five building inspectors---this in a city with very little new construction. The fire department has four levels of bureaucracy between the chief and the firefighters. Our government is overstaffed and suffers from waste in almost every area. Let's get a handle on spending and keep the excellent city services we deserve in our hometown. A vote for Jeffrey Flathers will be a major first step toward real fiscal responsibility and budget accountability. We can do it!

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT:

For far too long the city council has delayed in significantly rebuilding and repairing our crumbling sewer system. Sewage spills into the Bay and backups in residences and businesses are still common occurrences. Of 58 miles of sewer pipes, only two have been redone in the last couple years. Another 56 miles to go! We need a council which will follow the recommendations laid out in the Sewer System Asset Management Plan (SSAMP), and make serious investments in the waste water management system. After balancing the budget, repair of our sewers will be my long-term priority. One of the fundamental duties of government is the welfare of its citizens and sensible protection of the environment!

INVESTING IN YOUTH:

Join me in working together to provide more opportunities for our young people. In office I will lead a fundraising drive to create PG Scholarships for all our graduating seniors going on to college. How many cities do that? Well, we can!

BOOSTING BUSINESS

On the council I will improve the way we promote Pacific Grove to California and the world. Let us strengthen our business community and fully implement the Economic Strategic Plan!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Vote November 2nd! The only endorsement that counts is that of Pacific Grove voters. No yard signs, no gimmicks, just the real me. Let's take back our city council for the benefit of all Pacific Grove citizens! Paid for by Jeffrey Flathers for City Council