Issues most inportant to Newark and specific strategies to address them

By Vibert F Greene

Newark cannot afford to let businesses fail. WE cannot afford to use the same tired and worn out solutions of yester-years to solve today's complex social and economic problems, we need creative solutions.

As Newark's third Mayor; and its first African-American Mayor--I welcome the challenge. Inclusion, Diversity, Affordable Housing, Public Safety; Attracting New Businesses to Newark and keeping those already here--are my top priorities.

I believe as the new Mayor, attracting and retaining quality businesses is a must. And I intend to deliver.

Over 50% of Newark's budget comes from business tax. We cannot afford to let businesses fail. We must retain existing businesses. We cannot apply the same old tired strategies to the complexities of today's problem. Therefore, as Mayor, I will work to improve, attract and support businesses in Newark, and that may require tax incentives. We have to make sure people shop in Newark, eat in Newark and live the Newark life style.

Newark no longer has the surpluses of prior years. We lost Sun Micro Systems. And now a Ball Park Village is about to descend upon us--with all its problems.

I have met with the Chiefs: Police and Fire on Traffic--and its impact on Police and Fire; public safety and, City residents commute. I have met with the Building Department Chief on BLDG Development. And I have met with the Chamber of Commerce on Loss Revenues from businesses leaving the city--how do we attract and retain businesses; and with the proposed A's Ball Park village in our backyard, the next Mayor will face challenges never before confronted by a Mayor--how to get people doing business at the Ball Park Village in Fremont; to shop, eat and be entertain in Newark; I will turn The Ball Park Negatives Into Positives.

We all remember The PC-1; Apple's 1st PC computer--it solved many problems for its time; But you wouldn't use the PC-1 to manage the complexities of problems today and in the future. The next Mayor must be creative. And I believe I am that Mayor, I have the vision, flexibility and common sense to seek counsel and advice; and the Management skills to implement new and creative solutions.