Proven Leadership

By Patricia "Trish" Kelley

Trish has a solid record of results and achievements since she was first elected to the City Council in 2002.

Fortunately, Trish had worked with her City Council colleagues and city staff to pre-position the City to handle the economic downturn. Trish will continue to monitor the impacts of the recession and the decline in revenues, and will reduce our expenditures accordingly. As businesses and families react to changes in income by adjusting their expenses, the City must also live within our means. Trish has made significant budget reductions without impacting services to our residents. She took the lead on correcting the unsustainable pension plan which was put into place by a prior Council, as she introduced pension reform for future City employees. She helped to develop a second tier for medical benefits for employees, which achieved significant savings to the City. Mission Viejo has maintained a general fund reserve of over 50% of our general fund revenues. Due to the fiscal responsibility and careful planning, the City has received a AAA bond rating; one of only 25 cities out of 480 in the State to achieve this rating!

In addition to safeguarding the City budget through the economic storm, Trish has worked hard to preserve and enhance quality of life, public safety, and transportation in Mission Viejo. Mission Viejo has received recognition as the safest city in California each year since Trish was elected, crime statistics and traffic collisions have gone down, and School Resource Officers have been provided to our high schools and middle schools. Trish will continue this focus on public safety.

Transportation and road maintenance are also important to Trish, and the City has spent over $40 million on road widenings and maintenance since Trish took office. Alicia Parkway has been widened, lanes have been added to Crown Valley Parkway, and the Oso/Marguerite intersection expansion is currently underway. Trish initiated and helped to develop our Dial-a-Taxi senior transportation program.

Our recreation centers, parks, and facilities and programs for children and families have been a priority for Trish. She advanced the expansion and renovation of the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, the renovations of Montanoso and Sierra Recreation Centers, and expanded hours for the library. Trish has supported the Kids' Factory program, shade structures for Little League field bleachers, and enhanced park facilities. She led the effort to establish Mission Viejo as a Community of Character, and helped to write and develop the program, which won the prestigious League of California State Cities Helen Putnam Award of Excellence.

Trish believes that we have a unique quality of life in Mission Viejo, and she will continue to preserve and enhance the facilities and programs which we enjoy here. She supports public safety and maintaining our Safest City ranking. She will also retain her focus on parks, recreation, and programs to benefit and serve our Mission Viejo residents. Trish works full-time at her City Council position, and welcomes phone calls, emails, or office visits to stay in touch with our citizens, address concerns, and receive suggestions and comments!