Candidate for
Council Member; City of Concord

As your Council Member I have worked hard to maintain and improve our community. I am honored and proud of the support that I have received from neighborhood partnerships, residents and local businesses from throughout the community.

Public safety, neighborhood improvement, code enforcement, streets and parks maintenance, youth and senior programs, new business and jobs have been priorities that I have worked on and will continue to do so.

Over the past years many positive things have been accomplished:

Base reuse plan that has over 65% open space and business and jobs near north Concord Bart station.

Economic strategies to attract and retain businesses and Jobs: Lowes, Harris Engineering, Ranch 99, Seafood City, Lazy Dog and Lucille's restaurants, Orchard Supply Hardware, AssetMark Financial, John Muir Hospital expansion with new emergency and cardiac center, renovated Hilton Hotel, and self-funded auto dealership and hotel marketing programs.

New and renovated downtown areas; three renovated neighborhood shopping centers.

Decreased Crime -- down 6%.

Maintained our free downtown music concerts and farmers markets.

Established a welcome home program recognizing returning military service persons.

Supported maintaining programs that will help improve our property values.

This economy has created new challenges. With my experience and proven leadership I have:

Cut city spending by $18 million dollars.

Made cuts to employee salaries and benefits, including reduction of staffing by 25%.

Successfully negotiated employees paying towards their retirement and health benefits.

Expanded volunteer programs citywide, resulting in hundreds of citizens volunteering thousands of hours saving the city $500,000 annually.

Ensured that service and program reductions had minimal impact to the overall quality of life in Concord.

My proven leadership, dedication and experienced leadership is needed to address the key issues ahead: maintaining and enhancing public services in a continued environment of limited financial resources.

My priorities are: recruit, restore and retain businesses - that will bring jobs and revenues + to maintain essential services, including police, street maintenance, recreation and parks, neighborhood preservation, senior and youth programs.

I will continue to support open, transparent public outreach and input, and treat you, your views and concerns with respect and integrity. I would be honored to receive your support.

Laura Hoffmeister