Political Philosophy for Jose J. Fernandez

Candidate for
City Council; City of Santa Ana; Ward 4

I am a firm believer in youth opportuniy and development. I believe we must educate and provide opportuniy for today's youth in order for them, when older, to be productive citizens in Santa Ana's future. By providing education, opportunity, and social outreach programs, the foundation is laid for the future enrichment of Santa Ana which, in turn, provides a better Santa Ana for people such as youself, the long term resident/homeowner. As a side benefit, membership in gangs will begin to diminish as youth find other outlets to grow within. Isn't that something we all want?

Santa Ana is a huge city with a sizeable revenue. Unfortunately, for the amount of money the City of Santa Ana generates and spends, we as residents, do not see a corresponding value to the multi-million dollar budget the City spends on a yearly basis. Consider the fact that about 200 city paid positions are between $100,000-$200,000. On a municipal level I believe that is excessive-to say the very least! In order for the infrastructure to be improved the Council needs to address this issue-first and foremost. But because most current councilmembers receive support, monetary or otherwise, from most of these overpaid buerocrats they are unwilling to address this problematic issue.
If you have ever wondered why most streets, parks, sidewalks, etc... are in disrepair just consider the fact that over eighty per-cent (80%) of the City's General Fund goes to pay for wages and compensation. For the past few years the Council's response to the lack of funds to improve the basics throughout the City has been blamed on the County's bankruptcy. The fact is that the City Of Santa Ana was one of the least affected cities in the bankruptcy pool. With less than twenty per-cent (<20%) left of the General Fund how can any city expect to function properly?
I beleive the key is to trim the excess fat, reduce and eliminate wasteful spending while at the same time providing enough resources to the police and fire services in order to maintain a high level of safety and security throughout the City.

Please join me in carving
out a better future for all.

Jose J. Fernandez