Candidate for
Council Member; City of Rancho Cordova

When I first came to Rancho Cordova in 1971, I really did fall in love with the small town atmosphere. Moving around with an Air Force family, this felt like a place to call home, a place where you would know everyone. I learned Rancho Cordova, its neighborhoods, its people, its history. As President of Cordova Community Council, Chair of CORPAC, and on the Cordova Park District Board...I got involved in a big way!

When you elected me to represent you on the first City Council in 2002, I brought over three decades of experience to the job. I know how government works in California. Professionally, as a Land Use Planner, I understand the difficulty of building a new building and remodeling an old one. Having saved Mills Station from being demolished, it was important to me to arrange for the City to own our historic Kilgore Cemetery. Renovation has started! The construction fence is up.

My priority has always been remodeling our City. People comment to me daily that Rancho Cordova is looking much better. Koreana Plaza is completing its remodel. Mills Center is being fully remodeled - we wouldn't approve the project until the full center was included! The first phase of the traffic calming project was completed. The second phase is going to bid. Over a million dollars has been poured into replacing disintegrated sidewalks. The first group of street repaving projects is complete, with the next group ready to go. Overall, $32 million worth of traffic improvements is in some stage of planning, design, or bidding. The first phase of the Folsom Boulevard Streetscape construction and the landscaping of the Mather Field Road Interchange both begin in November.

We are addressing deeply rooted problems that are the result of decades of neglect.

There is no greater duty of any government than to insure the safety and security of its residents. Remodeling is also crucial in working with our own Police Department. In addition to establishing an actual Police presence around town, the programs such as Weed & Seed and our Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan will eliminate the vacant and disintegrating buildings that are a physical and social blight.

The government process can seem slow. Even "Rome - wasn't built in a day". Even in progressive cities such as San Diego, implementing a Specific Plan, like our Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan, takes about ten years. It's important that we put the framework in place, and then get out of the way so that the entrepreneurs can build our vision.

We are on our way to achieving something great. Before incorporation, we were an under funded Chamber of Commerce in a chunk of unincorporated Sacramento County - just trying to have some effect on our destiny. Today, creative ideas actually walk into our City Hall! We have established our reputation as civic entrepreneurs. People want to participate in helping us grow and mature.

Our City Council and our City Staff work together as a team for the betterment of this City we are proud to call home. I would be honored to - again - have your support!