Why I seek re-election to the Santa Cruz City Council

I am seeking re-election to the Santa Cruz City Council because I think I have done well in my first four years, learned a lot, and, as a result of that experience, am in position to be even more effective. The time since the 2000 election has been intense and I have been immersed in many critical City issues. Some of those issues are discussed here on this website and I encourage readers to offer comments on what is here and suggestions about other issues not treated here.

Before I was on the Council, my many years of service on various City Commissions gave me the experience to tackle pressing issues now facing our community. My vision for our city has also been shaped by many years of teaching, 25 at Santa Cruz High School, and listening to the concerns of my students and their parents.

Above all else, we must guarantee a place in our community for our children, where housing is affordable, wages are sustainable, water is available, and the environment is healthy. We must preserve our schools lest we become educationally mediocre.

I pledge to assess these crucial issues thoughtfully and with the participation of the citizenry find and implement long term solutions that benefit the entire community.

Recently, it has become very clear that we have waited long enough! The Universtty traffic mess must be addressed NOW! They want to grow by another 8000 automobile trips a day! We have to say NO to growth in auto trips! Help me to continue to press for the Transportation Charette promised by the University for October of THIS year! Only innovative solutions will solve our traffic congestion. The University can accommodate more students, but we cannot accommodate more cars!

Listening to the voice of the community is basic to good governance. I have done that and will continue to do so. Together we can solve the problems that face our city and protect the environmental integrity and ambiance which make Santa Cruz unique. When problems arise in any neighborhood, it takes quality neighborhood meetings to resolve those problems. I organized the Lighthouse Point Neighbors association in 1974 and I am helping to organize another such group as recently as today. (8-3-04)

• Is your neighborhood ready for a neighborhood association?

If you want to contact me about issues in Santa Cruz, I'd like to hear from you:

"Remember why you live in Santa Cruz"

See also:

• City of Santa Cruz home page: http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/

• Santa Cruz City Council agenda: http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/cc/agenda.html

• Santa Cruz City Council Election Results

• California Election Results 2004

• National Election Results 2004