To Fellow Irvine Citizens

By Steven S. Choi

In my first term on the Irvine City Council, I have been committed to the values demanded by our city's citizens: having open and accountable government, cutting government spending, protecting private property rights, improving roads and reducing traffic, and fighting crime.

The Irvine Business Complex (IBC), a newly-emerging mixed area for homes and businesses, is quickly becoming the driving force of Orange County's economic engine. IBC still faces many challenging policy decisions for its development to become a viable, comfortable residential/commercial mixed complex, such as transportation, parks and recreational facilities, walkway/sidewalk connectivity, commercial amenities.

Although there have been some bumps in the road, we continue the construction of the Orange County Great Park slowly but surely. We must have experienced leadership to ensure that our work on the IBC and the Orange County Great Park continues in order to ensure that these places serve the public good.

However, things are not perfect in Irvine. The City Council majority has impeded open government and good public policy. Nevertheless, Councilwoman Christina Shea and I have persevered and we have fought to implement the will of the people of Irvine in spite of a Council majority that holds views unlike those of the majority of the citizens of Irvine.

There is hope on the horizon, however. We are only one seat short of achieving a council majority. Together, we can elect a new majority on the Council + Team Irvine + that shares the same values and beliefs of the citizens of Irvine. Our votes can change what is wrong with Irvine and protect what is right with Irvine.