Candidate for
Council Member; City of Port Hueneme

During these past few years, we've seen a lot of changes in our city: We've hired a new city manager and community development director. We've got a new police chief and a new finance director. We initiated a loan program for first-time homebuyers so that working people could make a down payment on their piece of the American dream. We've turned our redevelopment program around, not only building some fine new homes, but also investing in our existing neighborhoods through low interest loans to homeowners so that they can perform necessary repairs, protecting our property values. And we wrote and passed a city charter, becoming only the second charter city in Ventura County.

Through all these changes we've kept the small town values that make Port Hueneme a great place to live and, thanks to the great people who live here, who take the time to participate in their community, who join the Neighborhood Watch, who support the library and the Boys' and Girls' Club, who do all the little things that add up in a big way, we've lowered our crime rate, we've raised our property values, and we've made Port Hueneme one of the best places to live in all of California.

When I look back on these last few years, I am most proud that we have been able to bring stability to Port Hueneme. Our General Fund is as healthy as it has ever been in our history. Through the passage of our utilities users tax --- for which I thank each and every one of you --- we have been able to stabilize funding for our police department. By building our new water treatment plant, we have guaranteed a safe, reliable source of water for at least the next generation.

Our infrastructure --- the nuts and bolts of the city --- is in better shape now than it was eight years ago, and remains a high priority with me. We continue to seek new opportunities for our city to work with our neighbors at the Harbor District and the United States Navy to benefit all of us. Our relations with the City of Oxnard are as good as they have ever been: there are real opportunities to work together on regional challenges --- water, public works, and job creation --- that will mean a lot to the people of Port Hueneme.

Our civic life is stronger than it has been in many years. Our Beach Festival, which we were able to revive, is a great success; our Friends of the Library was able to help us expand our hours of operation; and our Park Master Plan Advisory Committee is right now plotting the future of public recreation in our city.

My time on the city council has taught me the lessons of time, effort, and patience. My twenty years in Port Hueneme have taught me something else. That is, it's not what happens in city hall that makes a city work, it's the people in the community. Whether you live off Channel Islands, in Hueneme Bay, or in Central City; Whether you're in Parkside, the Ventura neighborhoods, or Surfside, you're the ones who make Port Hueneme the city it is.

I first came to Port Hueneme on a rainy November day in 1982 when I bought my first house. These last 20 years have been a time of great progress. I have been privileged to be a part of that progress. These are exciting times in Port Hueneme. There is great work for all of us to do. I want you to be a part of that work.

Vote for Jon Sharkey for City Council