Setting the record straight: Placentia has a bright future

By Judy A. Dickinson

Today, I ask you for your vote to keep Placentia moving in the right direction. Most importantly, though, I ask that you sort through the politics of fear and vote based upon the truth. These are the facts of what Placentia has done, which are completely the opposite of what most of the other candidates are saying. If you would like verification of my facts, I urge you to call City Hall.

Some of our accomplishments in the last 4 years have been:

"Working for Placentia's Fiscal Prosperity!"

 Even with the state budget crisis, Placentia is forecasted to have a 04-05 budget surplus.

 Voted to fund largest department budget at $9.5 million for police (34% of city budget).

 We have 7.14 police officers per city square mile (50 total)!

 Confirmed to receive $15.1 million in state and federal funds (Equals 55% of 04-05 budget)!

 Formulated plan to privately revitalize our downtown without city subsidies.

 Felony arrests increased 9%; juvenile arrests were up 50% in 2003-04.

 Implemented gang enforcement measures in affected neighborhoods.

 Increased compliance checks that resulted in several arrests of wanted parolees.

 Finalizing plans to hire a new chief of police.

 Voted for $3.8 million budget needed to continue fire and paramedic services.

 Our efforts to ease congestion and increase safety measures on our railroad corridor are rapidly developing. This project has funding so that emergency and law enforcement personnel can quickly respond to emergencies and not wait for the increasing number of trains to pass.

"I applaud your continued effort to help implement a timely and cost-effective completion of this important endeavor."

-Excerpt from a letter addressed to Mayor Dickinson from Congressman Gary Miller regarding the project to lower the railroad.

 Confirmed to receive $15.1 million in state and federal funds (Equals 55% of 04-05 budget!)

 Formulated plan to privately revitalize our downtown without city subsidies!

 Voted for budget that used over 288 tons of asphalt for road improvements, repaired 1,703 traffic signs, removed 23,230 square feet of graffiti, and maintained our parks.

 Funded events that included Veterans Day Observance, 4th of July, Heritage Days.

 Hired a new city manager at a market-based salary.

 Train Whistles: Our efforts to silence the train whistles that interrupted so many of our lives were successful, and our continuing work will safeguard Placentia's future by investing in railroad underpasses that will create a quieter, safer community.

 Education: Championed the re-opening of McFadden Elementary School, which gave Placentia a desperately needed, state-of-the-art neighborhood school.

 Pro-business: We are working to revitalize Placentia through responsible economic development. We have funding for a redevelopment project that will allow Placentia to be a better place for us and for our children. Our business environment has improved with the attraction of new businesses, an increase in the tax base, the achievement of a high business retention rate, and a clear vision for responsibly improving Placentia's economic vitality.

 Working for Our Seniors: We have worked to create the Senior Advisory Council. We are also proactively pushing for a new Senior Center/Community Center. We are narrowing down possible locations and working on obtaining the necessary funding.