Representing Residents, Not special interests

By Dwight "Lei Zi Yang" Looi

If successful, I will:- (1) Push for city wide mailers and polling on major ordinances twice a year (2) Improve traffic congestion on Ralston Ave (3) Practice fiscal responsibility without increasing property taxes (4) Investigate and tackle unfunded liabilities (currently $25,000,000 for Belmont) (5) Instill a private sector perspective on management and organizational efficiency (6) Stand against racial and ethnic quotas in hiring and employment (7) Stand against sanctuary city ordinances that aids and abets illegal immigration

I am a 1st generation American of Chinese ancestry who came to the United States 20 years ago to attend college. I hold a degree from Santa Clara University in Computer Engineering and am currently the Director of Product Development with a technology company in Sunnyvale. I became a naturalized citizen in 2007. I am now 41 years old, a homeowner in Belmont and live with my wife (a certified public accountant), her aging parents and our 3 year old daughter.

Like many others, I had journeyed half-way across the world to become an American because I was inspired by her founding, her constitution, the spirit of liberty that defines her way of life and the fruits of free enterprise that endowed her with a level of prosperity that was the world's envy. I haven't always been politically savvy or active. For the first decade and a half of my American experience, I went about life quite oblivious to politics. However, a few summers ago, I came to a rude awakening that this nation has become a house of cards waiting to collapse under the weight of its own folly.

I believe we need to restore sustainability to pension obligations and adequate funding for our schools. I believe that government must be lean and efficient. Most importantly, I believe that elected leaders must listen to the voters and be accountable to them.

It is in this light, and with much trepidation, that I decided that one must not merely hope but become hope + that I must represent if I want representation.