Candidate for
Council Member, Council; City of Long Beach; District 6

Committee To Elect Michael H. James 2154 Long Beach, Ca. 90806 Fax 562)599-5221 (562)599-0116 E-mail mhjames@earthlink.net "The Watkins Man"

Dear Interested Citizen,

I am the only candidate in the 6th District that has ever voted in the District, and have a perfect 20 year voting record. The other candidates want our votes, yet they never gave our candidates theirs. I think that matters.

I am the only candidate that owns property, and have paid property tax for the last 15 years. They want to spend our taxes but have never contributed.

I am the only candidate to have started and operated for 20 years a business in the 6th District. Collected and paid the sales Taxes they want to spend.

I am the only candidate to have ever served on a Community Association in the District. I serve on 5 major and many sub-commitees. How can you help change a community that you do not know.

20 years ago, I came to Long Beach, homeless, jobless, and alone. With 17 dollars, and a dream, I became a Watkins Associate, sharing with you my community, Quality Wellness and Feel Good Products. Living the American dream and being a part of a tradition, that is centered on service, and that has made the "Watkins Man" a standard of trust for over 130 years.

As a 20 year local resident, property and business owner/operator. I live, work, eat, and sleep, on Pacific Avenue. This District is the "Heart and Soul" the "Gateway" of Long Beach. It should be the most impressive. But it is not and it shows.

I have seen a this once thriving community our "Heart and Soul", deteriorate into despair and anarchy. A business district that became a patch of weeds, neighborhood's the dumping zone for social experiment. Leadership that cared more for transits, then it's residents.

We are the most neglected district in the city.

As business editor for the Wrigley Bulletin. I have interviewed small business owners, citizens, local politicians, community leaders, and national leaders. I have attended National Political Conventions, Debates, and Events.

I have traveled to 22 countries, stayed in over a 100 international cities, viewed urbandesign, toured famous buildings, landmarks, gardens, and parks. I have eaten unique foods in unique places, rode public transit. I have seen first hand, what works, what makes you feel good, and what doesn't.

My freinds, customers, and residents of the 6th District

Let me xhare with you my Vision, for the future of the 6th district. A vision that will make this city, and our business districts, a better place to work, and shop. The desire to make our neighborhood's a safer, cleaner, and more livable place. And set the goals that will create the actions necessary to demand that change.

This is why I am a candidate for the Long Beach 6th District. I am the best qualified candidate in the 6th district. The only candidate that has for the last 20 years consecutive, lived in the district, paid property taxes, collected and paid sales tax, and voted, in the 6th district.

I have spent all my adult life as a small business owner and operator. For the last 26 years I have created and developed 5 small businesses, sold 4, bought 12, and helped more then 2500 people just like you realize their dream to be a small business owner. For the past 20 years I have shared with my 6th district community, the natural Watkins Wellness and Feel Good Products, living the American dream of self reliance and self employment, and being a part of a tradition that has made the "Watkins Man" a standard of trust for over 130 years.

A small business is the soul of the community, it's heartbeat, and its life's blood. We small business owners, help determine the direction of the community, and respond to its many needs. We risk our lives, and our families economic futures, everyday, to provide our community with the products and services they need.

I want to retain and help develop more small businesses. To see more individuals. take that first step, and start their own small business. I want to help define each individual business district by finding out what stores are needed, and then designing and creating the style and ambiance of the building facades, the bus stops , landscaping, benches, and trash containers. We need to fix up our sidewalks, alleys, buildings and businesses. This will create more self pride in our community, our neighborhood, and business districts.

I want to establish, "Shop Long Beach First" incentive programs, that will keep our sales tax dollars in Long Beach. Eliminate the utility taxes on small businesses, and give part of our business licences fees back to the business associations. We need to slow down the traffic in our business districts, establish more innovative parking ideas, like reverse diagonal. Create Pedestrian friendly safety zones, mid block crosswalks, and longer walk lights.

The 6th District is the "Heart and Soul" of Long Beach, it's "Gateway". It should be the most impressive of the city, but it's not. I have seen, this once thriving district, our "Heart andSoul", deteriorate into despair and anarchy. A business district that became a patch of weeds, neighborhood's the dumping zone for social experiment, leadership that cared more for transits, then for it's residents. We are the most neglected district in the city.

Long Beach Blvd. is our Main Street. In the name of earthquake safety, and an indifference to businesses, we have created a economic disaster zone, a no mans land. a big weed patch.

I have a plan that will bring this valuable and unique location up to its fullest and finest potential. An elevated 2.5 mile pedestrian zone lined with mixed use 21st century Signature buildings. Buildings that will include large condos, schools, retail, entertainment, medical and activity zones. Where you will be able to walk from Willow Station to City Hall without pushing a walk button, without crossing a street, and without seeing a car. Where you can be born, eat, live, play, go to school, be entertained, work, retire, and be happy, without ever leaving this protected safety zone. And yes, a place where even future City Council members can live.

And yet, you will only be steps away from a bus that will take you to any place in the city, catch a train to any place in the world, or get in your car and leave without ever encountering a pedestrian. We will make this Blvd, one of the Grandest Blvd's in the world. A destination point, a place to be, and to be seen.

Our housing is substandard, old, and overcrowded. Old plumbing, unsafe electrical, lead paint, and wood structures that need to be replaced. We need to create better housing on less space, and provide more individual units. This will reduce the tensions and divisions, caused by having too many people, stuffed into housing units that are to small and obsolete..

It's vital that we create more First Home Buyer Incentive Programs. Provide protected activity areas for our children, and more innovative ways to find and establish better parking.

We need code enforcement, that will work with property owners, to provide solutions, not fines. Then we will be able to start feeling good about our City, our neighborhoods, and our lives.

What we do in the next 4 years will be the foundation that we will build on for the next 100. Our children born today will have better housing, better education and better health. Things that they will need to prepare them for their very long lives. Our vision today will create and protect their tomorrow.

As business editor for the Wrigley Bulletin, I have interviewed small business owners, interesting citizens, local politicians, community, state and national leaders. I have attended National Political Conventions, Debates and Events.

I have traveled to 22 countries, stayed in over a 100 international cities, viewed urban design, toured famous buildings, landmarks, gardens and parks. I have eaten unique foods in unique places, ridden on public transit. I have seen first hand, what works, what makes you feel good, and what doesn't These experiences have given me the vision, and desire to demand change.

I am thankful to be able to share with you my vision, and goals for the 6th district. Together, we can create and leave a wonderful and valuable legacy for future generations. I will listen to your concerns and desires, help establish and enhance your neighborhoods and community organizations, and increase your quality of life.

Together we can change the 6th district from the worst kept district, to the best kept secret. Together we will change the future of Long Beach and be the example for others to follow. Together we will create 21st century neighborhoods for 21st century lifestyles.

Your vote for Michael H. James, will change the future. Thank you for your consideration.