COUNCIL RELATIONS - BEACH HOTEL - TRAFFIC - PUBLIC SAFETY

By Jim Wood

COUNCIL RELATIONS - BEACH HOTEL - TRAFFIC - PUBLIC SAFETY

Since I was elected in 2002, I have had a good relationship with others and have treated colleagues and the public with courtesy. As Mayor, I will conduct meetings that are inclusive and constructive. I will ensure that each Council member presents his or her views and is able to fully represent his or her constituents. The result will be better decisions that are understood by the citizens.

I will work with the Staff and Manager to provide efficient professional service to citizens.

BEACH HOTEL

When I ran for City Council in 2002, this is what I posted on my web site about Manchester Resorts Project: "WE HAVE JUST WATCHED THE POLITICIANS WASTE FOUR YEARS AND MILLIONS OF OUR DOLLARS ON A PROJECT THAT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COASTAL ACT. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT IT WAS NOT IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE LOCAL COASTAL PLAN. After I was elected, the Coastal Commission denied the Manchester project saying it did not meet the Coastal Act. Manchester sued the city. On a 3-2 vote with two of my opponents strongly in support, the council voted to pay a $2.2 million settlement for doing nothing. I would never vote to pay a developer for NOT building a project and I did not.

My position has always been clear, we need a plan for a hotel that meets the Coastal Act and has the support of the community.

TRAFFIC

Years of poor land use decisions have left Oceanside with congested thoroughfares and dangerous intersections. Our neighborhoods suffer with cut through traffic. We must examine each problem intersection and find common sense methods to solve traffic problems. To accommodate a development, Oceanside reduced the level of service at major intersections from a C to D or F. This decisions has had major impacts on traffic flow. I would change that decision. We must not compromise quality of life by continuing to create dangerous situations. Traffic is a safety issue. We must make it safe for everyone. I will look at every project to make sure it makes your life better not worse.

PUBLIC SAFETY

I responded to your emergencies as an Oceanside Police Officer for more than 31 years. One of my first acts after being elected to the City Council was to ensure that the first responders - police and fire - were no longer ignored. I worked to get the 800 mg. radio system in service for your safety. I supported a small pay raise for police officers who are under-manned. I made sure they have firearm's training necessary to protect them. We are deficient 40 officers in the Police Department. Oceanside has been allowed to grow without providing for the necessary safety net for the increased population. We must address this problem.

My opponent has said that he "eliminated" drugs and gang violence. That is wrong. Our neighborhoods face an increase in gang violence. I will ask the Regional Gang Task Force to return to Oceanside. It was evicted from its Oceanside offices because of space needed for administrators. I will never put bureaucrats before your safety.

Firefighters and paramedics are stretched to the limit. In 1989, Oceanside Fire Department had a daily staffing of 32 operations personnel and had a response time close to five minutes. Today, the department has a staffing of 27 representing a reduction of six employees over the last fifteen years. The population has increased and the number of emergency responses has risen while the number of firefighters has decreased. These statistics speak volumes about the health of the Fire Department and the ability to serve the public. The solutions may require additional fire facilites and changes in policy, I am ready to work to make it safe for all residents.