MISSION STATEMENT

By Louis D. Armmand

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" Robert Kennedy

New Leadership for the 21st Century

Under the guidance of the Perris Grassroots Campaign Committee to Elect Armmand 4 Mayor, it shall be my purpose, as mayor, to commit the administration of the City of Perris to provide high quality municipal services to all residents, without regard to income level, ethnic background, or neighborhood; to insure that the public affairs of the people of Perris are conducted by:

an "open government" representing all the people; a "clean government" free of conflicts of interest and double dealing; and a "green government" beautifying our city and restoring the pride in a safe, inclusive, and livable community. Upon this task I pledge to you my full devotion and ability.

Issues and Program of Action Upon taking office in January 2009, I shall issue a call for a series of Town Hall meetings designed to solicit the opinion, advice and direct participation of the residents of Perris in a Bring Perris into the 21st Century Campaign. Among the issues to be covered are the following:

The adoption of the Taxpayer Protection Act (2000, 2001), as amended. This act has been adopted by the California cities of Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Claremont. It prohibits individuals or businesses that have done more than $25,000 worth of business with the city from making campaign contributions to local officials, including City Council and Commission members. It applies to public officials for a year after they leave office and for five years after they approve a contract; The development of a city sponsored "Community Organic Gardening Program" throughout the neighborhoods of the city; The establishment of a weekly "Farmers' Market" in a renovated Perris Downtown district; official sponsorship of community appreciation festivals, and intercultural exchange & friendship fairs to showcase our status as an international city of the 21st century; Review and strengthen the city's recycling policy and practices; Create a real "master plan" that will give a distinctive definition to a Perris "city center" and downtown business and pedestrian district; Modernize the neglected southeastern section of Perris with new infrastructure, including sidewalks, gutters, curbs, paved roads, sewers, street lighting, and traffic lights; Create a master plan to guide future urban expansion and comprehensive beautification of our city; Modernize our senior citizens center and expand its community outreach; The development of real opportunities for our youth: creating summer intern jobs at City Hall, organizing job training and counseling workshops for our youth, influencing local businesses to participate in similar endeavors; The expansion of our parks and playing fields will receive high priority; The construction of a state-of-the-art Youth Arts, Academic and Recreation Center to include studios for instruction in the arts, music, and dance; tutorials in mathematics, writing, foreign languages and chess; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, and a full size Olympic swimming pool; The adoption of city-wide rent control measures in the face of the present economic crisis; The establishment of a city sponsored low to moderate income housing construction program with low interest , fixed financing available to city residents on a priority basis; employment of city residents will be an important feature of this program; The City will take an active role in pushing for state and national legislation to freeze and/or rollback home foreclosures; The City will take an active role in reviewing the efficient operation and organization of our elementary and high school districts; The City will take an active role in reviewing the efficient operation and organization of its fire and police services; The City will take an active role in seeking stable, quality, well-paying jobs from all business entities seeking to relocate to our soon-to-be-dynamic town; The City will take an active role in securing Universal Health Care coverage (under single payer) from our state and national legislatures.