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This information is provided by the candidate
TO PROTECT LAFAYETTE VALUES
Nestled among open, oak-studded hills, Lafayette is blessed with friendly neighborhoods, excellent public and private schools and a small but vibrant downtown. However, there are several challenging issues which require experienced and consistent leadership to address them:
- Developing a strategy to repair our roads, improve policing and creating a comprehensive program of senior services
During my tenure as Mayor, I have re-established the City Finance Review Committee to determine if there are changes that should be made to improve our fiscal efficiency and cost effectiveness. After several failed ballot attempts to get additional tax revenue, it is even more important that we look inside and make sure that we have our financial house in order. With a report from this committee in hand, I believe we can assure Lafayette residents that the City has priorities that reflect their interests, allowing us to address these issues as a community. Achieving economic sustainability in Lafayette will have to be accomplished in front of a backdrop of an uncertain State budget, a difficult economic environment and a serious need to rethink our methods and processes which were founded on cheap energy and abundant resources. I really believe that among these challenges are great opportunities for Lafayette to successfully adapt and thrive.
- Creating a vibrant downtown
The provision of additional parking, encouragement of public art, creek-side restaurants and walkways will make our downtown both interesting and attractive. As chair of the Downtown Strategic Plan Advisory Committee I have been able to help keep this complex planning process in tune with Lafayette's goal of maintaining its semi-rural atmosphere. I look forward to building the consensus necessary to make this plan a document that is understood and supported by the entire community. The decisions made in this process will help to maintain the small-town character of our downtown, supporting desirable businesses which will play an essential role in the future economic sustainability of Lafayette.
- Providing additional sports fields, recreational facilities and parklands
Lafayette residents are known for their great appreciation of the natural environment. Our open and undeveloped ridgelines are a testimony to our desire to protect our vistas of the magnificent hills that surround us. We are also known for our popular sports leagues and recreational programs. However, we continue to provide less than the appropriate acreage of parks per capita. I support the Parks Master Plan process currently underway, but I know that the creation of new City parks will have to be balanced against the acquisition of new sources of funding to cover the cost of their maintenance and operation. This goal must be an essential part of our efforts for economic sustainability. We must also recognize and promote our on-going partnerships with the East Bay Regional Park District and East Bay Municipal Utility District that encourage these agencies to acquire and operate important open space properties in our area.
We need to remain focused on the impact that proposals for development in Lafayette and in the Town of Moraga would have on our traffic. It is essential that we maintain safe ingress/egress through adequate circulation. As Mayor, I was very pleased to sign a strongly-worded letter of comment on the environmental document prepared by the Town of Moraga, to assess the impact of Moraga's proposed development on our streets. We also need to improve the circulation within our City by building a system of safe, unobtrusive walkways linking neighborhoods to schools and the downtown, as well as, a system of bike lanes to promote a viable alternative to driving. Because of the narrowness of our road right-of-ways and topography, implementing these improvements must be carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis. Development proposed for the downtown must be thoroughly analyzed for traffic impacts, both direct and cumulative. Improvements that encourage people to park their cars and walk the downtown area, for those who are able to do so, should be a high priority. Strong connections with regional trails should increase the use of alternative forms of transportation.
- Providing opportunities for our youth to have real work experiences
I am dedicated to finding a way to get our incredibly talented youth connected to the many creative and dynamic firms and businesses that call Lafayette home. I believe that we are all missing out on a great opportunity to give these young people experiences in the "real" work environment that will better prepare them for their careers. These opportunities and mentorship, made possible by our community of professionals, should also encourage them to ultimately return to Lafayette, to live and work here; adding to the depth and richness of our community.
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