Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Los Angeles; District 9

I have a number of ideas for the Central Avenue Historic District. I would like to refurbish the old theater on Central and make it a focal point for the Central Avenue Historic District. I have new ideas for sources of revenue that can be targeted for the revitalization of the Central Avenue Historic District. This includes making the corridor more pedestrian friendly, encouraging new businesses, by making façade improvements, offering small business loans and making the corridor clean and safe.

I am mindful that one of the requirements of a city council member is cleaning up illegal dumping, fixing sidewalks, picking up stray dogs and trimming trees. I share your concerns about toxic dumping and the negative impact illegal businesses have on the quality of life for people living in the district. I have a history of working with environmental groups and I'm proud to have received the endorsement of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. I will work with environmental groups and plan to develop programs for neighborhood clean up to address these issues. I will also use my position on the council to bring all businesses in the ninth into compliance with the law. I'm also mindful of the need for affordable housing and plan to create programs to address that need and make more people in the district homeowners, not just apartment dwellers.

As the Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Census 2000 Outreach Project, I developed an innovative program and worked cooperatively with over 400 community and faith-based organizations and community stakeholders to ensure a more accurate census count and federal funding for community programs for the next ten years.

I believe that my ten years of experience working at the city council level as a Planning and Land Use Deputy and Legislative Deputy and as Chief of Staff in the Ninth Council District has prepared me to meet the demands of public office. I have always believed that the best programs and most innovative ideas have come from the community itself. I have a proven record of accomplishment in responding to and working effectively with community representatives to find solutions to problems. I share your concerns about crime, blight, the environment and illegal businesses and I want to work with you to improve the Ninth District and would be honored to have your vote.