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Santa Barbara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Terri Zuniga

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Maria

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

JOB CREATION
-This is one of the issues that sets me apart from my co-candidates in that I will work with a broad cross section of our community to first identify who we are as a community, what we want our community to look like in the future and then go out and aggressively attract businesses that fit our vision.
-Additionally we need to address the level of violence and crime in our community; we will not attract new business if we do not have a safe community.
-We also need to partner with local school districts to assure that we are mitigating the impact of development on our schools. Employers and their families will not locate here if our schools are not vibrant and meeting the needs of their student population. It is the Councils responsibility to assure that the Planning Commission does not approve development that over impacts our schools so we can have a strong, stable, viable, school system meeting the needs of students, parents, and teachers.

PUBLIC SAFETY
-I will work to address the concerns of our police officers and assure the new police chief has a strong commitment to community policing. Most importantly, I would work tirelessly to make certain our police department has the equipment, infrastructure, staff, and training opportunities to support the department and the difficult and growing demands of the job. Results would be improved morale within the ranks, better more thorough policing of our streets, and a police department and city council working together to solve problems. Additionally I would support a more significant role of the city council in the selection process and performance evaluation of key management with special emphasis on public safety.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
-I will work to celebrate the rich diversity of our community by engaging all in dialogue regarding concerns, areas needing improvement, and in creating solutions. It is with the inclusion of all who have a stake in the future of Santa Maria and an interest in creating a community that allows for participation by all that we will truly achieve the All American City honor.

My campaign for city council is a continuation of my 30 years of service to my community and provides an avenue to continue my efforts of helping Santa Maria become the best city possible. As someone who grew up here I appreciate our strong and rich history. However we are facing difficult, exciting and new opportunities requiring fresh and contemporary solutions, solutions the current city council candidates have failed to express.

Santa Maria is at a crossroads, do we continue with mediocre ideas and city council members with little or no new visions, or do we encourage new ways of looking at and attracting new businesses, a city ready to meet and develop into a community where young people want to stay and raise a family, where visitors leave wanting to come back, and neighborhoods that reflect and support the vibrant city we can become.

The city needs new leadership, leaders with a bigger, better vision to help guide us towards these goals, now is the time and I am the candidate!

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 4, 2012 19:58
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