fresno elections 2008

While I may not support some of Mayor Autry’s proposals, I believe the basic ingredients for an enhanced and successful “downtown living” environment are being put into place, and will be increasingly utilized by private investors and creative entrepreneurs. With a sizeable downtown core area surrounded by three major freeways, significant job influx created by new courthouses and other new construction and committed redevelopment projects, plus the budding residential and commercial successes already being demonstrated, I believe city funds would be best utilized by supporting fiscally sound policies that encourage and attract complementary enterprises.

I have met with representatives of Forest City and am impressed with their history and broad perspective on large development and redevelopment projects nationwide. I also understand they are making a significant investment in an environmental study that will form the basis for future plans and negotiations. Without the completed study and resulting proposal on the table, I believe it would be premature to speculate how the City’s funds can be best utilized. Again, based on what I have been told by their representatives and what I have learned from my own inquiries, I view Forest City as a positive ingredient in Fresno’s current and future plans.

I have long heard concerns about neighborhood conditions. Supposed reasons for blight and ill maintenance can often be attributed to inadequate city services, community involvement, financial resources, or property owner neglect. While solutions are sometimes evasive or seem financially prohibitive, successful examples in other forward thinking cities exist. Talking about problems is the easy part. Emulating workable solutions requires just that…work!

The 2025 Fresno City General Plan offers criteria for accommodating population growth, expanding green belt development and protecting precious prime agricultural lands that remain at the heart of our historic economy. With that, greater focus on regional planning and cooperative efforts between Fresno City and County and our neighboring valley counties and cities requires added outreach and pressure on the state and federal agencies who control policies and the economic purse strings that are a must for comprehensive transportation, water and other regional public necessities as we deal with future growth.

Master-planning is a visionary tool for projecting and guiding future growth and economic development. However it is not a “magic wand.” Fresno’s success, as the hub of the world’s most productive agricultural area and because of its seasonal employment flux, has also generated unemployment, housing, educational, social and health care issues that continue to test the viability and limitations of our economy. On the positive side, I am encouraged by our history of creative entrepreneurship and major efforts by CSU Fresno, the Chamber of Commerce, local business incubators, the Regional Jobs Initiative and other entities, both public and private, that are making strides in the recruitment and development of new businesses and job opportunities, along with utilizing strategies to retain local talent and attract new talent through a business environment that promises sustainable economic opportunities.

The City Council can, and must, play a major role by actively encouraging these efforts, promoting pro-economic development policies, expanding grant-writing expertise, and by emulating activities proven successful in other forward thinking cities.

In preparation for my candidacy, I have met with city and county public safety officials and associations and found a unity of purpose while recognizing that budgetary and jurisdictional issues can, and do, place hurdles before the agencies and their policy makers. While concerted efforts to “quash” gangs have had positive results, they have also exposed the necessity for increased communication, integration, and cooperation among all of our regional law enforcement entities. In my view, this only reiterates my position that improved relationships among decision making bodies must be a priority and it is the major reason I am committed to treat my service on the City Council as a full-time job.

While the “method” has been the subject of extensive and ongoing debate, the need for transparency of law enforcement policies and individual performance is recognized by all, regardless of rank or responsibility. I have listened to conflicting arguments regarding the need for an “independent police auditor” and, if elected, will make every effort to remedy the current perceived shortcomings by improving the existing oversight mechanisms. I believe based on my discussions with parties holding multiple views that a rational conclusion is attainable.

Like law enforcement, parks and recreation issues are complex and often divisive. Some potential solutions that demands greater study are the cooperative use of existing school facilities and planning integrated green space. Also, as higher density projects takes place in our downtown and other redevelopment plans, special emphasis must be placed on parks and other recreation facilities. As a council member, I would be open to exploring all viable suggestions and alternatives to expanding our recreational environment.

I believe we must practice fiscal responsibility, avoid deficit spending, and establish “financial reserve” policies to minimize negative economic cycles. Promoting workforce development, creating quality jobs, and diversifying our economy are also integral to accomplishing these goals, and will help generate needed revenue and reduce Fresno’s poverty and unemployment rates.

As to Mayor Autry’s proposal, I will reserve judgment until all of the facts are before me, and the benefits can be weighed against identified negative impacts. If there are demonstrable ways to improve overall services and financial benefits to the city, changes should be considered.