Candidate for
Council Member; City of Huntington Beach

Jim Katapodis believes Public Safety must be the top priority for a city to be a safe place to live, work, and play. Huntington Beach's Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Department's must have the necessary funding to keep the city and beaches safe.

Jim is a fiscal conservative who believes in a cost-conscious government. Other cities are struggling to meet their budget needs and are on the brink of bankruptcy. Elected officials in those cities have no choice but to cut jobs and programs and raise local taxes. This passes the financial burden, directly or indirectly, to its citizens. Jim does not want this happen to Huntington Beach.

Transparency in government and easy access to public records will help eliminate negative surprises to citizens and encourage fiscal responsibility in the government. Huntington Beach citizens must easy access to public records and the ability to voice their views before an open, objective City Council. More than ever good government requires the participation of honest, informed, and involved citizens.

Managed growth will allow Huntington Beach to have sound effective land use planning that ensures good traffic movement, necessary infrastructure, development that is compatible with the surrounding community, and affordable housing. City Council must guard against growing too fast and authorizing excessive high-density housing.

Economic development is necessary to provide badly needed jobs, new retail opportunities for customers, land for industrial development, and new revenues sources for city services that avoids raising taxes.

Having been a public servant for the past 32 years, it is second nature for Jim to volunteer his time to causes he believes in. He wants to offer his experience, knowledge and passion to serve the Huntington Beach community.