Candidate for
Council Member; City of Stockton; Council District 4

I would like to get to the root of the financial problems in Stockton, such as unemployment, and cutting high medical costs because of obesity and related illnesses. Statistics indicated in 2009 Stockton's total annual obesity, and related illnesses costs were $333,673,729. This is stifling businesses and organizations, and some have to file for bankruptcy. Organizations would be productive, healthier, profitable, and offer job opportunities if employees were given incentives, such as time off work or prizes to participate in a dance fitness and nutrition program that is half the cost of a gym membership.

The solution is not to get rid of loyal and trained people, but to give employees incentives, such as full or partial reimbursements of a membership, prizes, extra day off, discounting premiums. Implementing a worksite wellness program offering dance exercise and nutrition would result in a productive, profitable, and healthier business. Exercise and nutrition classes could be onsite using their own resources. Some already have gyms. It would be a good idea to form a wellness committee made up of volunteers early in the process, and mentor employees into the company health and wellness culture. Some organizations in the U.S. are already doing this, but many need to catch on before it is too late. For my doctorates I conducted a national study, and published my dissertation titled, "Health Issues and the Benefits of DanceSport."

Like a domino effect, now even the medical insurers are having to adjust premiums to pass the costs to employers and individuals to increase profitablity. People are not able to get proper medical attention. The current recession has caused employers to cut back on healthcare or employees. We need to do something about this now!

There would be more job opportunities with greener and cleaner jobs. I propose opening new factories in Stockton that manufacture solar panels and windmills. We need to manufacture here in the U.S. Let Stockton "The All American City" set a good example for others.

I believe we need to stop outsourcing manufacturing, keep our competitive edge, and our ability to innovate to keep the economy healthy. As I understand, innovative manufacturing is key to a healthy economy. Americans cannot lose the opportunity to be the new businesses of tomorrow. By stopping the manufacturing of goods Americans have sacrificed the know how to think of ways of manufacturing goods. Insights gained from the production process are crucial, and the weakening of manufacturing will lead to a decline in quality.

I would like to promote literacy programs at the libraries for children, teens, and parents. Educated people are responsible, stay out of trouble, able to participate with family, attain personal goals, able to participate in society, better workers, better citizens, and better community people.

I would like to promote more animal adoptions. Help restore the Delta by making it cleaner to swim, and fish. As an All American City, I would like to help the disabled veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Making Stockton cleaner, safer, and creating jobs would attract investors to the City of Stockton.

My slogan is "Giving People a Voice!"

http://bwnews.us/2012/03/22/puerto-rican-theresa-velazquez-runs-for-4th-distric-at-city-council/ (Bilingual Weekly Newspaper)

http://bdweb8960p.bluedomino.com/pdf/April2012.pdf (Latino Times, p.16)