Candidate for
Council Member; City of El Cajon

I am running for El Cajon City Council because I believe this city is in dire need of vision and hope. My goals for the city are threefold: cut taxes, foster community accountability, and promote private enterprise. Given the current economic conditions, I would like to cut tax spending on social services such as the Rec department and the Miss El Cajon Scholarship Pageant, as well as many other social service programs. Along with creating a cohesive community identity and responsibility, these programs would be much more effective if they were managed and sponsored by community volunteers, businesses, and nonprofit partnerships. I also would like to cut taxes by privatizing much of the city jobs, such as park maintenance and information technology, which would be better maintained and cost less if we contracted private companies, stimulating the economy while saving the taxpayers money. My ultimate goal would be to have the high rate of taxes in El Cajon lowered while at the same time building community involvement, accountability, and responsibility by encouraging individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to work together to care for our community's needs and celebrate its successes.

Taxes & Spending

In my opinion, the most important issue facing El Cajon is the high rate of various city taxes, which in turn is influenced by how city officials envision the future of El Cajon. Our city is trying hard to keep up with cities like La Mesa and Santee, and yet we have our own unique identity influenced by our history, development, climate and physical location, and most of all, how residents want to live their lives and work their jobs. City officials have misjudged residents, raised taxes, and spent money on projects that have little or no return on the investment. We pay the highest taxes in the county (granted, approved by a marginal majority of the voters) for fewer services than surrounding communities. I recognize that we have very little new development compared to cities like Santee, which limits our revenue resources. However, a bigger Police Station and fancy curbs do not make our city more desirable or safe. We have misjudged the desires and needs of the residents, and with our expenditures continue to improve and renovate some of the least necessary, but most seen, areas of our community.

In addition, we waste money on failing social services with, again, little or no return because of the lack of accountability. We instead should cut funding to these ineffective services and encourage and help residents to partner with local nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals or families who would love to spend money, time, and passion on people, rather than pay taxes to maintain an ineffective system. We have created an impersonal government providing ineffective social systems, when instead we need to foster community involvement, responsibility, and accountability.

I believe we should eliminate government-sponsored pension plans and instead encourage individual employees to develop private pension plans like 401-K's and other retirement options by providing resources. I also believe that the city employees should not receive cafeteria benefits, but should instead pack or pay for their lunches like the majority of working individuals in our community.

Codes & Regulations

The best thing a government can do to support a strong real estate market, business environment, and resident approval is to limit regulations and let private industry create the supply and demand that best serves a population. I do, however, support legislation that protects businesses, property owners, and residents by requiring well-maintained homes, commercial areas, and neighborhoods. However, beyond reasonable municipal codes, local taxes should maintain and improve public works, parks, and community facilities that are necessary to the current population and needs. The government needs to get its hands out of the regulation business and instead allow industry and individuals to motivate others to be smart consumers. Residents who vote with their mighty consumer dollar need to take responsibility, and are much more powerful than any government regulation or funded project.