Candidate for
Council Member; City of Rancho Santa Margarita; 4 Year Term

EL TORO AIRPORT

Since taking office on the first day of the city's incorporation, and as our city's representative on ETRPA, I have led our city's effort in the fight to defeat an airport at El Toro. A commercial airport at El Toro would have sent over 300 aircraft departures over our city each day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is an average of one every 5 minutes. These aircraft would be at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet creating noise levels that would be intolerable, comparable to running one's garbage disposal every 5 minutes, all day long. An airport would have also created massive air quality problems that can not be mitigated according to the county's own environmental studies. I will work hard for the creation of the non-aviation park, educational and recreational uses for El Toro approved by the voters, that is in keeping with the highest quality of life traditions of Orange County.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

I supported implementation of a key incorporation goal, a 38% increase in law enforcement and traffic enforcement in the city. We have a safe city, and my goal is to keep it that way. Our crime rate is low, however, we cannot be complacent and be lulled into a false sense of security. Our world has changed and vigilance is critical. By continuing the high level of law enforcement service we enjoy today, our city will continue to be the city of choice for new families for many years to come. Continued strong traffic enforcement will ensure the safety of those who use our streets, and I am committed to that end.

INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER

I supported the implementation of the community outreach, design and funding programs for the future Inter-Generational Community Center and City Hall complex, another key incorporation goal. The IGCC has been a community vision since the beginning of the city's development in 1986, and is now near reality. The IGCC/City Hall civic center facility will be built on 4 acres of city owned land in the Town Center near the library. The volunteer IGCC Committee who worked hard for over a year to identify the programs and components that will make up the Community Center have done a fantastic job, and it is now time for the City Council, in conjunction with the Bell Tower Foundation, to finish the job. I will continue to diligently support the final development and the near future construction of this facility, which will be the cornerstone of our city.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

It is my goal to strive for full achievement and fostering of the sense of "community" that embodies the character of the residents and businesses that comprise our city. I supported the establishment of the Teen Center, the New Year's Eve Community Event, the Bell Tower Foundation and additional community service programs. I will continue support of expanded youth, family and senior activities and educational opportunities wherever possible to further develop and nurture the cultural and social well being of our city.

SKATEBOARD PARK & DOG PARK

I support establishment of a skateboard park and dog park for the city, and will work to bring those facilities to our residents. I believe that adding these types of recreational opportunities for our residents will continue to enhance our quality of life. I am also committed to ensuring that wherever these facilities are located, it will be with the full participation of the residents who may be impacted.

TRAFFIC CIRCULATION

I have supported numerous measures taken by the city in improving traffic circulation and safety, including full support for the ongoing Santa Margarita Parkway traffic signal synchronization and improvement program, and construction of Banderas bridge. Many of these traffic enhancements, which include additional stop signs and signals, re-striping, and no parking zones where line-of-sight issues are involved, have been as a result of resident input and requests, and in working closely with the city's schools. The Santa Margarita Parkway project will reduce delays, while Banderas bridge, when completed, will not only relieve traffic on Santa Margarita Parkway, but will significantly reduce the response time for our Fire and Paramedic emergency services into the northeastern portion of the city. I will continue to support further efforts to reduce traffic issues in our city as they are identified, and continue to welcome participation by all residents, schools and businesses in identifying areas in need of attention.

CITY FINANCES & MANAGEMENT

I supported and guided the successful establishment of the management and operation of our new city utilizing minimal city staff and accruing significant reserves. I am a strong advocate of small government and will not tolerate the creation of unnecessary bureaucracy. Our city functions well with approximately 10 full time city employees and a fluctuating staff of contractor employees. By maintaining this "contract city" philosophy, we will be guaranteed that city government is only as large as the services required to be provided. In less than two years, we have established a strong fiscal position, with more than 10 million dollars in General Fund reserve, and a strong capital improvement and infrastructure maintenance plan. We must remain diligent in the fiscal management of our city while the real threat remains that the state may divert our revenues to the state budget due to their accrued deficit. I will continue a policy of fiscal responsibility while continuing to further enhance services to our residents, businesses and visitors.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I will continue to work to partner with our business community in the continued implementation of sound economic development and business retention programs, without creation of taxpayer funded redevelopment agencies. Job creation and job retention, coupled with a balanced mix of business development and retention, will guarantee the long term financial success and stability of our city. As a primarily built-out city, the focus must be to maintain the businesses we have, and continue to foster a business friendly operating climate, encouraging all of our residents to "shop and work at home". As a city, we must work together with our businesses to meet their needs, in their effort to serve their customers, our residents.

URBAN RUNOFF & WATERSHED POLLUTION

I support implementation of an aggressive urban runoff education and management plan for our city within the guidelines of the Clean Water Act, in a fiscally responsible and constitutionally legal manner. Urban runoff and the resultant pollution of our watersheds is a responsibility for everyone. I will support promotion of educational programs to bring public awareness to this issue, will continue to support those best management practices being taken and to be implemented by our city in meeting the standards of the Clean Water Act, and will actively support regional partnerships with the county, other cities and our water districts in addressing this problem . I will oppose, however, efforts of state regulators to impose requirements on our city that exceed the limits of their legal authority or constitute un-funded state mandates.

FREEWAY THROUGH TRABUCO CANYON

I took a leadership role in raising public awareness to a proposed freeway from Riverside County through Trabuco Canyon, and was successful in bringing our city's voice into the regional dialogue. What was once considered to be a fast tracked process being orchestrated by Riverside County officials has been stopped dead in its tracks. However, as long as there is a line on the map, I will continue our city's strong opposition to any freeway through Trabuco Canyon, while working toward alternative solutions to the Riverside/Orange County transportation issues.