Candidate for
Director; Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District

My name is Nina Casanova. My husband Mike and I are home-owners in Simi Valley and have lived here for over 14 years. We have three children, Lindsey, 22, a Royal High 2000 graduate who went on to Cal State Fresno graduating this year with a degree in Biology and a degree in Chemistry; Cassandra, 17, a senior at Royal High, and Ross, 12, a seventh grader at Sinaloa Middle School.

Like many of you, in the 14 years my family has lived in Simi Valley, we've made good use of all aspects of the Park District activities. My husband and I have taken classes; my children have been involved in district sports programs and we have rented park facilities for family functions

Like all the candidates, I am running for a position on the board because I care about this community...our community.

I want to make sure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely and effectively.

I want to be sure that as each new park is built, there will be proper funding to create the new while also modernizing and maintaining our older parks.

I want to be sure our parks remain safe and there is a strong ranger presence to discourage criminal or unwholesome activities.

I want to be sure the park district is constantly seeking new and better classes for our adults and children...especially pre-teens and teens whose art and music programs have been cut from public schools.

I want to be sure our that ALL youth have a chance to participate in team sports, dance, art classes and swim lessons.

So what sets me apart from the other candidates?... Well, I was employed as a Senior Accounting Specialist at the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. What does that mean? It means I saw how the park district spends its money and I think I know how make that spending work better for all of us.

The job of each Director of the Board with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is to serve this community by working effectively to improve and maintain our parks. The 5 person board should be representative of all the citizens of Simi Valley and Oak Park, giving voice to the widest range of residents possible. A board that doesn't represent the entire community quickly becomes irrelevant and ineffective. New voices and new ideas encourage growth, prosperity. I can be that new voice.

I am a different kind of candidate. I am not a politician. I am a mom whose kids participate in District sports. I am a taxpayer who wants to know how my money is being spent. I am a family manager who works within a budget and doesn't spend it all just because I can. I am an accountant who recognizes unnecessary expenditures when I see them.

I am representative of our community because I am just like you.

Please vote for me on election day. Remember, a vote for Nina Casanova is a vote for a new voice with solid experience. Let me be YOUR voice for better fiscal management and a better future for you and your families.

Thank you.