Infrastructure and Community Services

I am concerned about infrastructure and the need for more permanent fixes and upgrades, instead of the application of band-aids to fix problems that will most certainly recur without the necessary upgrades.

Our city is an important growing, developing and burgeoning area and the infrastructure needs to keep up with (at least) or keep one step ahead of the growth. City funds should be sensibly allocated and spent on areas of priority, according to citizen and neighborhood needs.

I will work hard to fully understand the priorities and needs of the city as a whole, considering neighborhoods as well as developing business area – and do my part to see that monies are allocated fairly and adequately to cover all needs.

Blight and degradation in neighborhoods is also a big concern. Too many buildings downtown in highly visible areas, and too many abandoned homes in neighborhoods is just not acceptable. Enforcement of codes pertaining to such properties needs to be fairly enforced, and action needs to be taken in a timely manner.

Leaving properties to decay for years with nothing being done is dangerous for the people in the affected neighborhoods; it invites crime (i.e. arson, squatting, etc.) and deteriorates the value of the existing homes and properties in the area, along with discouraging travel to destinations that might require driving through the affected areas.

Also of great concern is community-provided services for the disadvantaged and elderly. We have a growing population of elderly who live on fixed incomes and need places for social interaction and recreation. They have given the community their lifetimes, let us not forget them.

The inner city is full of disadvantaged kids and families who need some form community-offered services to give them alternatives to gang involvement and other anti-social activities. The children are our future - I believe we need to offer them all we can as a community, and that starts with the elected official who have effectively been granted stewardship over the people of the community - all the people.