General Statement of Positions and Principles

By Neal Andrews

I support the maintenance of effective public safety services, strong economic development that supports a prosperous community, the preservation of fiscal integrity and accountability, responsible budget policies to achieve sustainable City government without increasing taxes, the restoration of an effective street and infrastructure maintenance program, and the development of a strong cultural tourist program.

The first duty of local government is to protect its populace. I will always keep that duty highest in my priorities as a City Councilman. I will do everything I can to find additional funds to assure the continuation of our storefront and neighborhood-policing program and to bring our police and fire staffing up to appropriate levels. Much of this can be achieved with more efficient organization and management to reduce overtime costs and by aligning our compensation and benefits systems to match more closely those in the private sector, freeing up millions of dollars to invest in added personnnel. Much more can be done with stronger economic development policies and strategies that generate additional revenue without adding to the local tax burden.

 Streets, Libraries, Parks and Social Services!

The problem we face is not complex or difficult to understand. There is not enough money to pay for all the things we need to do or want to have. The solution is to stimulate the economic engine of the city. Prosperity will result in the revenues necessary to meet our needs. With prosperity people buy more, and the city receives more sales tax income. With prosperity we draw more tourism, and the city benefits from increased hotel tax revenues and more tourist spending in our retail stores. With prosperity our property values rise, and the city benefits from increased property tax collections.

That's how we will pay for all the things we need. I will tirelessly promote the economic prosperity of our city and our citizens. That's how I will see to it that our streets are paved, our trees trimmed and our sidewalks repaired. That's how we will save Wright Library. That's how we will make Ventura the Cultural Pearl of the Central Coast and encourage the full blossoming of such cultural assets as the Rubicon Theatre, the Historical Museum, the spectacular Music Festival, and so many of the other events that enrich the lives of our citizens and educate our children, while drawing tourists in increasing numbers each year.

 Public Art Programs!

I strongly support the commitment of a reasonable amount of public funds to nurture and support the cultural life of our city. There are ways to do this that do not have a significant impact on our taxpayers. Today 95% of all arts funding is from the private sector through grants and donations. Small amounts of investment from the public sector therefore can leverage immense amounts of private sector funds to stimulate our arts and cultural milieu.

I would support modification of our current ordinance that already reserves a portion of public project budgets for use in artistic expression directly related to the project at issue. I would favor amassing these reserved funds and granting greater flexibility in their use to the extent that the law may allow.

I will work diligently to establish a true cultural center in Ventura. Its potential contribution to our quality of life cannot be over-estimated. It's function as an anchor to stimulate and revitalize our City's economy is vastly underestimated.

I will also continue my strongest support for the institutionalization of an Artist-in-Residence program bringing world-class artists to the City to live and work here for extended periods while participating in our local cultural events and community expression, working in our educational environment, and providing fertile stimulus to our local arts colony. This program, once established at very modest expense, can be self-sustaining without on-going public support. I have already lined up personalities like country musician Charlie Daniels and jazzman Chris Brubeck and world-famous streetscape artist Mark McMahon, who are willing to participate as artists and personalities who will live and work and teach in our community without charge to us, as part of the Artist-in-Residence program to stimulate the arts programs here. This program must go forward. It's potential for the development of cultural tourism in Ventura is extraordinary.