It will take hard work, ecperience, vision and commitment to solve the criticaL budget problems facing our city. I have demonstrated as a council leader on my four years ont the City Council that I am the best qualified person to meet this important criteria.
Pacific Grove is headed for some rough seas. We recently, (this past week) learned that we are facing a major budgetary shortfall in his fiscal year with another substantial shortfall predicted to come in the following year. While all the numbers are not yet in, we do know enough to recognize that experience and strong leadership will be needed to address this serious problem.
As your mayor I would immediately begin a series of special meetings of the council and the public to plot a course to get this problem taken care of. We have waited far too long already. We have enough information to begin planning for revenue production and cost-cutting.
Do I think all the fat has been cut out of city government? No. Until this is done, taxpayers will not be inclined, and I do not blame them, to reach into their pockets in terms of paying more taxes and fees. I do not believe that throwing money at the problem as a first line of attack is the way to go. If we cut everything that can be cut then, and only then, can we go to the taxpayers and ask them for their decision: less services or a raise in fees or taxes. A raise in taxes which must be approved by a public vote will never be achieved until the public is confident that the money the city is getting now is being well spent.
I do oppose cutting library hours as a solution. The library is the number one most appreciated resource in P.G. Actually, I want to restore Sunday hours at the library. But, that is just my view. We need to come together, get the facts, and decide as a community how we are going to address the crisis we are facing. We need to decide what we want to give up in terms of city services and what we are willing to keep even if we have to pay more than we are paying now.
How do you decide which candidate for mayor has the ability , experience, and commitment to do this important job? I am the only candidate with a proven record of leadership during my four years on the council.
It is like hiring anybody to do a job: you ask their experience and what they have accomplished. Anybody can tell you what they might do if they get the job. A track record of performance in doing the job, especially in tough times, is essential.
P.G. needs someone who can hit the ground running, has the proven ability to make the hard calls, and get the job done. Check the record. I am the only candidate who meets this job criteria, and make no mistake: the leadership of a strong mayor will be a key factor in extracting P.G. from its present difficulties.
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