Candidate for
Council Member; City of Union City

Fixing Our Budget Problems:

Union City is facing a financial deficit that has caused the City to cut some services. We are not alone in this area: California and many other cities are dealing with the same problem. But so too are many people and families, and they are left with no choice but to carefully monitor their expenses. I think the same should be expected of the City.

In my opinion, raising taxes (such as the sales tax) should only be considered as a last resort. With the bad economy, it is the worst time to increase any taxes. As it looks now, tough times may continue for a while. As your Council Member, I will make the tough decisions in your best interest.

Attracting Businesses and Jobs:

Union City should not just be a bedroom community for the Silicon Valley. We need to do everything we can to retain the businesses we have while also attracting new businesses. New businesses would create jobs locally and also increase the City's revenues.

We are at the bottom when it comes to sales tax per capita and also revenue per capita amongst the 14 East Bay cities. We have done better over the years but still have a long way to go!

As your Council Member, I will push for innovative ways to attract businesses to our City. For example, the Bay Area is an incubator for new biotech companies and it would be a great to have a biotech community develop in Union City. We should also explore the possibilities of another shopping mall by the freeway that would have a different mix of businesses. We want people to stop in Union City, not just drive by it.

Protecting the Environment:

As your Council Member, I will do everything I can to protect the environment. The City's Climate Action Plan is of great interest to me and one of the things I would focus on. I support the smart growth initiatives such as the Union City Intermodal Station that would meet the housing needs of our community while minimizing any negative environmental impacts.

The voters of Union City in 1996 decided to preserve the Hillside area off Mission Boulevard. It is on the Hayward fault line as well. As your Council Member, I will fully support the wishes of the Union City voters and fight for preserving the Hillside area. Our hills, creeks and marshes should harmoniously coexist with the urban environment and development.

Improving Our Schools:

The education of our children is of paramount importance, whether we have school-going children or not. Better schools provide us with a better future. They also would help increase the value of our properties and make Union City more attractive to businesses and developers. That in turn creates more jobs. Neighborhoods with better schools have maintained their house values in the recent market crash better (or have lost more modestly) than other neighborhoods. As your Council Member, I will work to help the School Board make our schools better.

Developing City Services:

The City is doing a good job in the Leisure Services department and in maintaining our Parks. In this age of technological gadgetry and constant text messaging, I think it's important to foster activities that bring the kids out to play and have fun. As your Council Member, I will actively promote these kinds of activities. Similarly, we need to maintain and enhance our Community Centers, such as the Ruggieri Senior Center.

I fully support the development of a Decoto Area Family & Youth Resource Center. This is a center that is needed by the residents of that area. The current funding constraints do not support the establishment of a One Stop Center right away, but I will support a Decentralized Facility Model (i.e., using existing facilities in the City) that has been successfully used by other cities.