For Experienced Leadership: Re-Elect Tonja Torres on April 11

By Tonja Torres

What We Have Accomplished:

Because it is small, Sierra Madre faces different, and often greater, challenges than do other, larger cities. Our more modest revenues must be stretched further, and we often rely upon volunteers to help provide services other cities pay for. We depend upon creativity and man different resources to accomplish our goals, whereas other cities might dip into their general fund. Yet, despite these challenges, look at what we have accomplished together:

• When it was clear that academy level firefighter and EMT training programs were needed, we identified and provided the necessary funding.
• We demonstrated our commitment to securing our water supply by completing an award-winning seismic repair and replacement of the Grove Street reservoir, and initiating similar repairs for the Mira Monte reservoir and pump station, in large part via federal funding.
• We found creative ways to finance the senior housing project, now under construction, so senior residents on fixed incomes can remain a vital part of our community.
• We lobbied for, and obtained, county funds to construct and maintain the new Youth Activity Center, and to repair and maintain the Hart Park House (aka the Senior Center).
• We completed four years of the long-deferred street improvement program, taking advantage of county, state and federal funds to the maximum extent possible.
• We honored our commitment to historic preservation by placing additional homes on the City's historic landmark list, and by approving Mills Act contracts.
• We initiated the community-based Downtown Specific Plan process, during which hundreds of residents have worked together to help create a vision for a vibrant downtown that preserves our village atmosphere and reflects community values, an effort that included the innovative and award-winning "Downtown 101" educational series.

Current Challenges:

The future holds much promise, but challenges remain. Rising costs and state takeaways test our ability to maintain a sustainable budget, correct decades of deferred maintenance, and still hold onto the local institutions we cherish, including police fire, the library, and community services.

I have always believed the community is better-served when services are provided locally, rather than through a neighboring agency, or the county. But our ability to continue to provide those services while addressing critical infrastructure needs requires a carefully balanced approach + a combination of long-term planning, creativity, and a frank and open discussion of the alternatives if the necessary resources cannot easily be found.

This issue has significantly occupied the Council's deliberations in my time as a Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem. I remain committed to finding this balanced approach so we can keep important services within local control. After all, we're all in this together.

The Future:

Sierra Madre is far more than just a quaint small town in the foothills. It is our beloved home, and our cherished refuge from the larger world. Sierra Madre has endured, in part, because of its rich history of a strong community spirit supported by careful planning and thoughtful leadership. In my four years on the Council, we have confronted the tough issues with foresight rather than tabling them for some future council to sort out. Whether it is paying for fire equipment and training, repairing our water system, repaving our streets, updating our land use ordinances, working with the school district to complete the elementary school renovations and add a middle school, or keeping the promise of senior housing, we have met these challenges head on. In the years ahead, I am confident that our spirit of community involvement and our legacy of experienced leadership will allow us to meet any upcoming challenge. Let us celebrate our City's centennial in 2007 by honoring how far we have come, and by embracing all that is yet to be.

Tonja's Experience:

• Current Mayor Pro Tem, Sierra Madre City Council
• Member of the Sierra Madre City Council since 2002
• Current Chair, Hillside Management Zone Ad Hoc Committee
• Member, Youth Master Plan 2004 Committee
• Commissioner, Cultural Heritage Commission for the City of Sierra Madre (2000-2002).
• Practicing attorney for over 10 years, presently in partnership with my husband in our Sierra Madre-based law firm, Torres & Torres
• Co-Captain of Sierra Madre School's Relay For Life team for past 3 years.
• Frequent volunteer at Sierra Madre School since 2000. Served as member of PTA Board, annual Silent Auction Committee, and classroom volunteer
• Past Sierra Madre School representative to PUSD's Superintendent's Advisory Council
• Alumni parent, Sierra Madre Community Nursery School. Served as member of Board of Trustees for 2 years.
• Past member of Alumni School's Committee, and prospective student interviewer, University of Chicago
• Juris Doctorate degree, UCLA, 1989
• Bachelor's degree, with honors, University of Chicago, 1986

If re-elected, I will continue to:

• Exercise fiscal discipline and engage in creative long-term planning in order to ensure local provision of municipal services, and to meet deferred infrastructure needs.
• Pursue and obtain federal and state funding for local infrastructure needs such as water and transportation
• Ensure that development maintains and enhances Sierra Madre's unique character and small-town village atmosphere to the continued benefit of all residents
• Work with the Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses, while attracting appropriate additional businesses to enhance our local sales tax base
• Encourage the preservation of significant architectural and historical resources
• Search for non-general fund sources for much-needed library renovation
• Demonstrate compassion, fairness and respect for residents and my fellow Council members