Political Philosophy for Steve Tate

Candidate for
City Council; City of Morgan Hill

Positive Direction

The outlook for Morgan Hill is exceptionally bright! Four years of discord and divisiveness are nearly over. The overwhelming passage of Measure C to extend redevelopment lays a solid foundation for building a better Morgan Hill. Efforts are underway to create an updated General Plan or "blueprint" for Morgan Hill's future. My experience, leadership and teamworking skills are exactly what Morgan Hill needs on the City Council now. I'll work positively with you to establish and then achieve our community consensus of what that future should be.

Where I Stand on the Issues

Unification / Positive Council Direction: It's time to end discord and divisiveness on the City Council. I'll help establish consensus goals with the community and the Council, and will work collaboratively on the Council to achieve them.

Implement Measure C as Directed: The voters approved redevelopment funding of vision projects, infrastructure improvements such as flood control and new roads, and economic development. My skills support achieving these goals in an optimal fashion.

Update / Implement General Plan: After developing a plan that truly reflects the values and maintains the qualities of our community, we need to implement it in harmony with the RDA extension. I will provide leadership to make sure it is implemented as designed.

Safety and Fiscal Responsibility: I believe that local government's primary responsibility is providing for the safety of its citizens. Close monitoring of our General Fund and the maintainence of ample financial reserves is needed to assure the priority of safety services in Morgan Hill.

Future Development:

Residential: I helped develop and implement Measure P for controlled residential growth, and I continue to support it strongly.

Retail/Commercial: I believe more careful planning is required to avoid some of the commerical "mishmash" we see today. The General Plan needs to include specific guidelines in this area.

Business/Industrial: I support continued positive economic development, and want to better balance jobs and housing by bringing more clean business into appropriate locations to become part of the Morgan Hill community.

Education: "To truly understand the quality of a community, look to its schools" - I believe that. Although education is not a responsibility of the City Council, we need community-wide support of quality education in Morgan Hill. I support the current school bond issue and want to work closely with our school board on mutually beneficial endeavors.

Trust and Accountability: I hear a clear message that City Councilmembers need to be trustworthy and accountable for their actions. I applaud and welcome this. I want to be held to the highest standards of performance when I serve as your Councilmember.

To enhance the great quality of life we enjoy in Morgan Hill, please vote for me, Steve Tate, for City Council.