Platform

By Joseph D. Henchman

Campaign platform and positions

I'm not running a glittery, $100,000 campaign. I think that our City Councilmembers should be average people who aren't just preening themselves for higher office. My goals, if elected are:

City spending. My biggest concern is the city budget, which stands at over $70 million a year. That equates to $1,700 in fees and taxes charged to a family of four every year, just for the city government. I propose cutting the budget by 6.25 percent a year, which is hardly devastating. I would support reducing fees and taxes to return the saved money to city residents.

Sunset provision. The thick City Code has arcane and ridiculous laws that are still enforced, like sign regulations that the City applies to everyone but itself, or the law that prohibits owning more than six goldfish. I support requiring all city laws to expire automatically after five years unless renewed by the City Council. This will keep our City Code lean, and free of inane laws.

San Luis Rey bridge toll. One of my biggest campaign issues was repealing the unnecessary San Luis Rey bridge toll. I am extremely happy that my campaign helped persuade the City Council to begin working to remove the toll. Existing city funds can easily be used to pay off any remaining bonds, and as a councilman, I want to make sure that the toll removal promise doesn't vanish after the election.

Opposition to Manchester. I oppose the Manchester project, because I do not believe that taxpayer funds or eminent domain power should be used to help a private project. If the multimillion dollar resort is such a great idea, than Manchester would have no problem building it without city funds.

Help me restore our city government!