Why I Am Running

By Carlos A. Chavez

The charm of our fair city needs protection from unfettered development. I am for smart development that builds the Alhambra we want to live in.

• People-centered issues need to be raised: maintaining safe neighborhoods, easing traffic gridlock, expanding open space, enhancing recreational programs, improving school quality and outcomes, augmenting adult literacy programs, investing in youth services, and expanding senior services. A first priority is securing a bookstore in our business center. We have the space and the population to support a large bookstore.

• The charm of our fair city needs protection from unfettered development. Alhambra needs a strategy of "smart growth" to balance our growth with our small town character. I feel strongly that business interests should not have a monopoly in city contracts, economic development, and social policy decisions.

Business interests trump community interest time and again in Alhambra. A good example is the recent proposal for the West Main Street Corridor. The proposals for a massive construction project is developer driven with no regard for the increased traffic, over-crowding, and infrastructure stresses that the proposed high-rise, high density, high-priced housing will have on our fair city.