The Issues

By David Waldram

Waldram's vision on supporting education, being fiscally responsible, transparency in government, and supporting our community organizations.

For more information visit http://www.davidwaldram.com

David Waldram is an advisor to Tustin High School's internationally recognized and award winning MUN program. This program has effectively prepared hundreds of Tustin Tillers for admission to many of the most prestigious colleges in our nation.

Strong schools make strong communities. The City of Tustin and its City Council should be working together with the school district to expedite, not to hinder, the needed improvements at Tustin High and the construction of the new Heritage School on the former marine base. In the current favorable low cost bid environment, expediting these projects saves millions of taxpayer dollars and employs hundreds of local workers.

David Waldram commits that as a Council member he will strongly advocate greater support for schools and closer cooperation between the City and our kids' public schools.

Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency

David Waldram will strongly advocate for fiscal responsibility, and for a more conservative approach to eminent domain that both respects the rights of property owners AND protects the taxpayers from the costs of excessive acquisitions.

In a recent eminent domain lawsuit, the City of Tustin was ordered to pay $23.5 million in principal and interest, bringing the total cost of acquiring 34 acres of land near the former marine base to $76 million. Acquired at a April 2007 valuation, the land is probably worth substantially less today.

The proposed City budget for 2010-11 calls for total spending of $135 million on $100 million in revenues. Most of the proposed deficit is in the non-operating portion of the budget. The operating budget covering public safety, community services, public works and general expenses is about $48 million and the proposed general fund deficit is $1.6 million. Clearly, the prudent management of the "non-operating" portion of the City budget is critical to taxpayer's fiscal health.

The City Council needs to exercise careful oversight to assure that eminent domain is used only when absolutely necessary and in the most conservative manner, particularly since over time consequences can be much larger than expected.

In our nation too much of our governmental affairs are impossible to decipher. We need to lead the way as examples of governmental transparency. Through modern technologies and open communication, Tustin must be accessible and transparent both at City Council and staff levels. Such transparency would prove to help strengthen accountability to those citizens we represent in government.

Community

David Waldram believes that the City government should work closely with all of the various volunteer organizations and businesses that work to make our community stronger.

He is also committed to greater civility at City Council meetings, not only among Council members, but including respectful listening to each and every citizen's comments.

He will work with business owners from all over the City of Tustin. It is unfortunate that some business owners feel that the City unfairly favors businesses located at The District, perhaps because the City receives a portion of rents from retail operations there, according to a report from the Association of Defense Communities in 2008. All business owners must be assured that we have a level playing-field for all comers.

We need the energies of ALL of our citizens and enterprises, from school parents to organizations for the arts, youth sports, historical societies, service clubs, and all other kinds, all pulling together to move our community forward to a brighter future!