Why I Am Running for City Council

By Al Leiga

I am the candidate with the most relevant business, government and regional transit planning experience. I will bring needed civility, teamwork and a focus on creating the policies that will shape the future of Claremont.

My first objective will be to work with all sides to bring civility and teamwork to the council. I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and understanding of their concerns and needs. To create meaningful and lasting benefits for our city a consensus is desirable, but at a minimum you need at least two other members to support an initiative and provide direction to the staff. Any one council member can create noise, but without teamwork the sound will fade quickly and leave no impact.

The city council needs to focus on critical policies that will shape the future of Claremont. For example, collaboration with our schools to improve opportunities for our kids, economic development opportunities to bring new services to our residents, public safety improvements and a new police facility, affordable housing locations, new directions for youth, family and senior services, support for environmental needs such as "green" and sustainable buildings, and we need a solution to our excessive water rates.

There are many key economic development issues the council needs to address in the next few years. For example, the council needs to provide leadership to create the policies that will revitalize Foothill Boulevard and the Inn and Old School House area. Similarly, now is the time to start planning for the arrival of the Gold Line and the opportunities for transit-oriented development that will arise South of the railroad line and extending to the Interstate 10 along Indian Hill Boulevard. Also in conjunction with the completion of village expansion the council needs critically examine policies that will continue to keep the existing village a vital place with, for example, improved streetscapes, outdoor dining, parking, activities to draw people to all streets, etc?

The city is not an island, but is a part of a vibrant Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. I have the regional experience to make things happen in this area for the benefit of Claremont. In particular I bring extensive experience in building the Gold Line light rail system to alleviate congestion and get people to work.

I am the candidate for city council that has the experience to bring people together and make things happen for Claremont. Claremont needs your support and vote for my candidacy on March 8, 2005.