Candidate for
Council Member; City of Imperial Beach

ED'S VIEWPOINTS

PRESERVE AND IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE

This is Ed's umbrella goal. On the City Council he has worked for better street lighting, paving IB's remaining unpaved alleys, return of our Independence Day fireworks, and return of our signature event - the sandcastle competition. These efforts have succeeded. Going forward, Ed will continue his efforts to create more and better jobs for IB residents through a thoughtful and balanced development approach. He will also continue helping the City Council explore all options and arrive the best decisions for our community, such as preventing multiple marijuana dispensaries throughout IB.

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Ed applies his experience in international resource management effectively by working with all of the agencies and organizations that have a role in keeping our beaches, estuary and bay front clean and accessible. Ed defends our environment against cross-border and other forms of pollution by serving on the Metro Wastewater Commission and the International Boundary and Water Commission Citizen Board, and by restarting the Tidelands Advisory Committee to ensure IB community members have an environmental oversight role. He believes public and private projects must be monitored to preserve our vital environmental resources -- the estuary, the seafront and the bay. For these and other efforts, Ed has won the endorsement of the Sierra Club.

QUALITY PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES

As the grandson of a North Dakota county sheriff, Ed believes we must keep our community and our neighborhoods safe. Ed has and will continue to strongly support well-staffed police and fire protection services. He will continue his efforts to reduce crime and ensure our neighborhoods are better lit and well protected. Ed takes pride in the fact that violent crime is down 24% over the last four years in Imperial Beach, according to the latest SANDAG statistics. For his efforts to ensure IB has the resources to support well-staffed public safety services, Ed has once again earned the title "Law Enforcement's Choice" from the Deputy Sheriffs' Association.

BALANCED, THOUGHTFUL, CAREFULLY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT

From his experience with HUD, USAID and the University, this is Ed's tried and true philosophy for maintaining IB's unique identity while providing more services and financial sustainability. He supported both the zoning height restrictions and development of the Pier South Hotel, which has benefited many existing IB businesses while attracting new investment to the City. Ed co-established the Seacoasters group of business owners and private citizens to serve as an advisory group for this commercially important neighborhood. He believes IB needs better planning to ensure new investments create an environment that is beneficial for residents and visitors alike. He helped unravel the legal and financial problems delaying the 9th and Palm, "Breakwater" project and will work hard to make sure this project creates improved shopping and employment opportunities for IB residents.

OPEN GOVERNMENT AND CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

These are priorities for Ed. His view, seen on many occasions in City Council meetings, is that better informed citizens can help improve City decisions. Ed has held a number of community forums in private homes for this purpose over the last several years. He favors the creation of citizen boards and committees around areas people are interested in or concerned about. For example, he insisted that the City hold public workshops to make sure the Sports Park is operated for the benefit of IB youth teams and all residents. Going forward, he will fight for a more open budget process and continue to challenge the City's finance directors, department heads and consultants to provide accurate information in a form that the City Council and the general public can understand.

BETTER EDUCATION FOR OUR YOUTH

Ed believes that quality education for our youth should be every elected official's concern. He is a life-long proponent of educational opportunity for all, with first hand experience from his own life and his work at the University. Ed wants to help create an environment in and around IB schools that says studying and education are "cool." He will use every opportunity to expand resources available to IB students, such as special programs in the Library, City parks, and other facilities. Ed will meet with any school administrator, parent or student who wants to get involved or share their perspectives on City and especially youth programs. Ed also believes in experiential education (combined learning inside and outside the classroom) and that the City can and should establish internships for IB high school and college students who want practical work experience while still in school.