Candidate's Statement

By Kathleen S. Amos

We need to slow down while focusing on putting infrastructure into place before further expansion.

Galt has grown from 5,000 residents when I moved here in 1985 to 25,000 now. The result of such rapid growth is that we still need a second high school, our crime rates have increased, our overpasses and streets cannot handle the traffic. Our policies need to be most protective of our children/youth and their families. Growth needs to be handled so that city expansion embraces our agricultural and environmental roots, as well.

Safety of existing residents should have priority over adding more residents. Reinstatement of the Drug & Gang Task Force was a good first step, but we still need more police officers to patrol our streets.

As a member of the Measure B/High School Bond Committee in 2005, I helped achieve the passage of a bond measure to help build a much-needed second high school. The current City Council lowered developer fees for the theater that has been approved, yet it has not offered to lower fees charged to the new Liberty Ranch High School. Future plans presented on Tuesday, Oct. 3 indicated growth to 50,000 population within the next 19 years, yet the community will be paying the bond for the second high school that long.

My policies will support slower growth until our infrastructure has caught up with our current size. As a small business owner, I will support policies that strengthen the small business network within our city. A vote for me is a vote for a more liveable tomorrow.