2008 PLATFORM

By Lupe Ramos Watson

FIRST FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE SUCCESSES!

The City of Indio at one time existed in the shadow of our glitzier neighbor, Palm Springs. Today, with a population of over 80,000 people, Indio has more residents than Palm Springs, and is not only still the largest city, but also the fastest-growing city of all nine cities in the Coachella Valley.

People are discovering what all of us who have made our homes here already know: Indio is a great family and retirement community, our hub of the valley. With growth, come challenges. The State budget crisis has impacted our city's revenues because the state since the early 1990's has raided our property taxes, and all California cities' property taxes, to balance the state budget. I'm a fiscal conservative who is Pro-business and Pro-public safety. I will work diligently as your City Council representative to keep our property taxes here in Indio, working for our community.

During my 8 years in office Indio has taken a strong leadership role as the largest city in the Valley. We must continue to have more open government and protect our quality of life. More open government means that the people we represent + the citizens of Indio + must continue to be informed about city decisions.

• We have developed short and long-range planning in full public view so that taxpayers are informed about proposed plans to develop our City;
• Our aging streets and infrastructure has been upgraded and repaired, and completed;
• Our citizens have realized the benefits from developer fees through improvement to our facilities, schools, and services;
• We have brought jobs, to increase business, and to grow the economy of Indio;
• We heve strengthened and increased public safety as our city ha sgrown;
• We have cost-effectively provided an increased and/or improved services, parks, and facilities for our seniors, families, youth, to keep quality of life shining in Indio.

As a fiscal conservative, I offer a higher standard of leadership for the Indio City Council, and I will fight for the right of all citizens to have their voices heard at City Hall. I would appreciate your support. Thank you.