Why I Am Running

By John Cumming

I decided it was time to make my own commitment to doing something about City government. A place to start is opening up government so that citizens feel welcome at Council meetings and have access to real information about the city's budget and operations. We should set policies that address the needs of all citizens, rather than just friends doing business with City Hall.

I'm proud to have been a leader in the local Democratic Party, but I agree with a Republican mayor who once said, "there is no Republican or Democratic way to make sure that the garbage gets picked up." The most important business of local government is to make sure the basic needs of residents are met, reliably and efficiently. As the largest city with the most resources in Humboldt County, Eureka should be the leader in providing basic services and building the economy of the North Coast.

I want Eureka to join the Harbor Commission in full support of port development, including efforts to build a container shipping facility and upgrade the railroad while discouraging the development of waterfront property for non water-related purposes. We need to end the foot-dragging on establishing a Multiple Assistance Center, and stop pretending that if we just ignore the homeless, they will go away.

I think the last 15 years has shown what being pro-development without any concern for sensible planning accomplishes. Our central business district still hasn't recovered from the opening of the Mall nearly 9 years ago, and now the Mall itself is having difficulty keeping its spaces filled. Traffic on Broadway is a mess, and yet some want to put another big box store on industrial waterfront land, without regard to the effects on existing businesses and facilities or future development needs.

There have also been positive changes I support, especially the promotion of Eureka as an arts and cultural center and tourist-friendly destination. I favor beautification efforts, and I would like to see that work focused on the approaches to our city from the north and south, as well as along the waterfront. I applaud the efforts of recent Council members to reduce the level of rancor in City politics, but I want to extend greater respect and appreciation for the City's line employees.

Eureka City government has looked too much like a private club from which most citizens are excluded. I am not part of the club, and I can provide at least one strong voice for everyone else. It's our city too!