Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 5

Economic Conditions: The economic future is uncertain and city revenues are reduced. The challenge for the near future is to make targeted investment for both critical services such as Fire and Police as well as maintaining the exceptional neighborhood services affecting the quality of life for our citizens and neighbors.

If reelected, I would seek to focus our fiscal attention on these services and completing the many Capitol Projects currently under construction such as the new Central Park Library, Fire Training Center, Teen Center, New Senior Citizen's Facility, phase two of the San Tomas Aquino Creektrail, the Mission City Performing Arts Center, Northside Library, Fire Station and Police Sub-station. Of these projects, I would seek to use value engineering to ensure maximum efficiency, while ensuring the highest quality. I would also seek to create a coalition of business and Chamber of Commerce Partners to develop a strategic plan for the marketing of Santa Clara.

Electric reliability: I am very proud of our city's electric utility. Through the energy crisis, we were able to provide the reliability and low rates while reducing our debt. Energy will continue to be an area that requires vigilance and focus in the future to ensure we are able to meet customer demand and are able continue to attract and retain businesses and industry.

Affordable Housing: As a Council Member, I am proud of what my colleagues and I have done in the area of affordable housing. 52% (503 units) of the total housing under construction as of August 2002 is affordable to low and very low income individuals. In addition, the Council has increased the RDA housing set aside from 20% to 30% to provide greater partnerships and encouragement of affordable housing. The City received an "Honor Roll" rating as one of only seven cities in the San Francisco Housing Crisis Report Card (June 2002). We also partnered with the School District and Intel to develop affordable teacher housing to retain and attract teachers. If re-elected, I will continue to focus on increasing the number of available affordable housing units