Candidate for
Council Member; City of Brentwood

Protecting Our Public Education

It's critical our City Council maintain an open dialogue with the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) and its Superintendent. Why is this important people ask? Any homeowner can tell you the quality of a school district directly impacts the cost and desirability of a home. As many of our residents are underwater, they're telling me we have to protect and improve our schools. It's not just the right thing to, it's good business.

When given the opportunity to serve on LUHSD Board of Trustees I was able help our students and faculty improve their test scores, while maintaining a positive working relationship with our Superintendent.

I think our elected officials overlook the connection between the quality of our schools and our property values, or our crime rate, and of course, our quality of life. It's all interconnected.

Carefully Manage Taxpayer Money

Serving as a local School Board member over the last five and a half years has given me first hand experience in maintaining a balanced budget, which is so critical nowadays. I've helped negotiate labor agreements on behalf of the District with two of the most powerful unions in the state and am proud to have won concessions that allow rank and file employees to make a living wage, while we were able to reduce unnecessary spending to protect our students.

As a Trustee and President of LUHSD, with the help of my colleagues, we have maintained a balanced budget, every year, even during this economic downturn. We've had to make difficult decisions, but I think the School District is better for it today. I will bring that common sense financial approach to the City Council.

Attracting Good Jobs & Business to Brentwood

As a small business owner in Brentwood, I understand what makes a city a good place to work in, or not. I've employed local residents, advertised in our community paper, canvassed neighborhoods prospecting for customers and pulled permits at City Hall. There are opportunities for improvement.

My goal on the Council is to make Brentwood the best place to do business in East County. With the economy so out of sorts, we can't just wait around for businesses to locate in Brentwood. As a Council, we need to do a better job of attracting businesses, and jobs to Brentwood. Let's not forget, both of our local High Schools have been named California Distinguished Schools, that is something employers desire, we can do a better job promoting these successes.

I will take an active role in the recruitment of businesses to Brentwood. One of my first meetings as a Councilmember would be with the City's Economic Development Director to discuss how the City Council can take a more active role in economic development.