Why am I running for City Council?
In short, I love this town.
I love how neighbors look out for each other, finding lost dogs, wallets, earrings, backpacks, and making sure these items always make their way back home. The genuine care among neighbors is remarkable. When we moved here, we were immediately welcomed and have developed friendships with all our neighbors and I am excited about the opportunity to serve the community I love.
Even a city as close-knit and caring as Benicia is not immune to challenges. I am ready to help and would like to initially focus on several areas where we have room to grow.
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Addressing Our Budget Crisis: We are in a budget crisis many years in the making. To keep Benicia running at its best, we must find creative ways to increase revenue to maintain our existing services. This is not going to be easy, but it can be done.
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Growth for Benicia: Growth is necessary, but it must be growth that’s right for Benicia. We need to balance economic sustainability with the preservation of our community character. We must meet the needs of our residents today, while building an infrastructure that will not compromise Benicia for the generations of tomorrow.
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Supporting Local Businesses: We have to support existing local businesses, as well as attract new business to Benicia, so we can encourage Benicians to keep their dollars in Benicia whenever possible.
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Transparency and Community Involvement: We need transparency in every aspect of decision-making at City Hall, and, to that end, I would like to include more community voices in the process.
Sometimes, overcoming challenges requires a fresh perspective and a new voice.
I am running for City Council to ensure our town thrives, while preserving the qualities that make Benicia special.