Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Long Beach; District 5

Public Safety has always been my first priority as an elected official. In conjunction with neighborhood groups and the City's Police and Fire Departments, I have worked to ensure that the Fifth District continues to be the safest area in the city. I have worked with both the Police Department and Public Works to improve traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the District. At one intersection alone we have seen a 70% decrease in accidents because of adding "red light cameras" at my request. I have also made sure none of our local fire stations were closed and was instrumental in bringing the City's new state-of-the-art Emergency Communications Center to the Fifth District. As Vice Chair of the Council's Federal Legislative Committee I have lobbied and worked with officials in Washington D.C. successfully to improve our ability to respond to and prevent disasters.

Financially, I have served as the Vice Chair of the City Council's Budget Oversight Committee for the past 3 years as we have reduced our City's structural budget deficit by over $90 million while still setting aside prudent reserves, and have seen the City's bond rating restored to A+. I also believe in leading by personal example and have maintained the lowest office budget overall of any Council office and over the years have returned more than $101,489 to the General Fund by coming in under budget.

The Fifth District is the largest geographic council district in our city, with the most miles of residential streets and sidewalks, as well as the greatest amount of street trees. When I was first elected to office, the City was only repairing 25 sidewalks in the district per year. I spearheaded adding $3 million per year to the City budget for sidewalk repair, enabling us to repair 1,121 Fifth District sidewalks that first year. We are now in the 7th year of an 11-year program and have replaced over 4,321 sidewalks in the Fifth District alone with just over 6,000 still needing replacement. During my terms in office, more money has been spent replacing sidewalks in the Fifth District than in any other Council District. Obviously many of our residential streets need repair or reconstruction primarily because of age and damage from tree roots. While the State normally gives cities money for street repairs, past years have seen an extreme reduction in these funds as the State has fought to balance their own budget. This is why Mayor O'Neill and I supported Proposition 1A on the 2004 ballot. With that measure's passage the State can no longer withhold funds until we are repaid. As a result, the Governor's new proposed budget contains "repayment" of $2.2 million to the City for local street work next year.

If re-elected I will; Continue to fund and seek additional monies for infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, curbs and streets, Continue finding ways to further enhance our public safety programs and support our public safety professionals giving them the personnel and tools to do their jobs, Continue to work with library supporters, youth sports leagues and community groups to ensure our children have places to safely study, learn, recreate and pursue their potentials, Continue leading by fiscal example and make sure our City is on sound financial footing.