Candidate for
Council Member; City of Tustin

I decided to run for the Council because I believe that Tustin is a great place to live and work. Twenty-two years ago, my husband, John and I chose Tustin to live and raise our family because we believed in the schools and the community.

It is my belief that city leaders should make fully informed decisions with public feedback. Citizens' opinions must be fully respected and acknowledged. I believe that city leaders need to listen to the concerns of their constituents and to make the best decisions in the interest of the citizens and not personal interests.

The litigation between the city and school district must be resolved appropriately to minimize the impact of tax payer dollars and to assure that our students get the education they deserve. I am committed to working with other city leaders, including our school board, to assure that there is city support for our schools. I pledge to scrutinize city expenditures and worked toward a balanced city budget without continually dipping into reserves.

Like you, I have concerns about our economy and our housing values. The city must work with business to keep jobs and businesses in the city. The city should be fiscally and environmentally responsible in the negotiation and implementation of the Tustin Legacy project. Appropriate expansion will help increase tax revenue and bolster funds for other city projects. I pledge to work for safe streets and clean parks. I would like to see further communication and support for our non-profit groups that contribute so much to the life of our city.

I am not supported by any special interests. I have not sought nor have I accepted any endorsements or campaign contributions from any city vendors or developers. This will allow me to negotiate toughly and fairly with your interests in mind. My interest is in representing you and in bringing new leadership to our city. It is only with the commitment of our city council that we can truly see progress in our city.

I support a more transparent government and want to see city council members' salary and benefits, expenses, stipends for commissions and commission attendance posted on the city website. The salaries of all city workers should also be posted. Citizens need to see that the city council members are utilizing tax payer money appropriately. I would be willing to have "office hours" in which citizens can speak to a council member one on one to improve communication.

In my healthcare background, we insisted on the best trained caregivers and appropriate equipment. I strongly support our law enforcement agencies and will fight for the best trained and most well-equipped police force. I understand the importance of the job that they must prepared to perform in a dynamic environment.

My considerable leadership experience in professional and over twenty years in community organizations demonstrates my ability to work with various groups of people toward a common goal. I have received several management awards for my leadership and ability to manage costs and maintain optimum productivity.

With your support, I want to represent you on the Tustin Council. In order to spread the word, I need your vote and endorsement and that of your friends and family.

Thank you. Beckie Gomez McKeon http://www.beckie4tustin.com