Candidate for
Council Member; City of Port Hueneme

I believe that government works when members of the community take active oversight of the their government. I see city government as follows:

• City government provides services that are vital everyday services such as but not limited to public safety, infrastructure, clean water, removal of waste, recreational facilities. The people want clean water to drink, want waste water properly disposed of, want to be able to drive to work without losing an axle due to a poor street, want to know that when they leave home that their family and home are safe, where they shop they are safe, and when they want to recreate the parks are nice and safe, if they want to relax and read have a library.

• Government is not a business, but does use modern business practices such as but not limited to planning, budgeting, policy making, meeting, making and storing official records. Government records are available to public inspection, unlike business records. City records are used by the public and private sectors in various court matters like criminal, civil, administrative to name a few.

• Government is a service provider. Most public services are free to the public. Services are mostly funded by taxes and fees. Other money that comes into the city treasury also is mostly derived from the same, taxes and fees. For example a federal program, funded by federal taxes/fees, that supplements a city program (a grant for example).

• Taxes cannot be raised without open political discussion and vote. Fees for permits or records, inspections, are not something that a city can raise without public discussion and vote.