Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Ana; Ward 2

For over 20 years Tino has been involved in city issues. Thirteen of those years as a Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department. Tino's goal has always been working towards positive change for all the city's residents.

Tino believes that Santa Ana is a great place to live and work. Tino owns a business in Santa Ana and has owned a home in the Wilshire Square neighborhood for more than twenty years. Tino is aware that things need to continue to improve in order to maintain our current quality of life. As a business owner, Tino will use the perspective owners take when running a business to determine if improvements can be made to increase efficiency and potentially save the city thousands to millions of dollars.

Public Safety

Tino's believes that communities blossom when residents feel safe and can enjoy their neighborhoods. Tino understands that safety is important and that fighting crime should be the primary focus of the police department. Tino also wants to ensure that both Police and Fire Departments are always staffed at optimum levels and that they be trained in every area which would affect a city the size of Santa Ana. Tino is very aware of issues and challenges facing current law enforcement agencies. Tino believes future law enforcement success will depend heavily on the help of its citizens. Tino will work hard to strengthen communications between its departments and the citizens of Santa Ana.

Education

Tino attended Santa Ana public schools and so did his three children who are now attending college. Tino's extended family includes several Santa Ana teachers so he understands the vital role that education plays in Santa Ana. Tino will continue to offer his time as he has done in the past when he served on the Blue Ribbon Committee which promoted English based teaching and also as an Ad Hoc member reviewing Aids curriculum.

Redevelopment

The "re-birth" Santa Ana is experiencing is crucial to the overall health of the city. Several exciting development projects that are planned will play a key role in attracting positive change. Santa Ana is the county seat and central to all of Orange County and many people are starting to see the advantages in living and working in Santa Ana. The artist village, the downtown lofts, the new restaurants in downtown are starting to excite many residents in and out of Santa Ana. Open space needs to be a major consideration when developments are being proposed and considered. The residents of Santa Ana must also feel comfortable in their surroundings. Tino will attempt to develop in a smart, considerate way, blending the old with the new, looking for sustainable projects that make sense, seeking projects that will enhance our beautiful city, these types of projects will make Santa Ana the jewel of Orange County once again.

Neighborhood Improvement

Santa Ana has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Orange County. The neighborhood home tours, the afternoon tea events, the Christmas decorating of light poles in some communities are just a few awesome events our neighborhoods put on, yet, there are still many neighborhoods that need physcial attention and city staff assistance. People need to be shown how to organize to accomplish neigborhood projects and we as a city need to empower them with simple and effective ways to improve their neighborhoods. On my watch I will work with neighborhoods to improve their overall beauty, to increase communication between city staff and neighborhoods, focus on areas that are in neglect, and make an organized effort to restore pride of ownership.