Proposed Changes to Ridgecrest City government

By Michael Neel

I will reduce City spending to fund only activities which provide for police protection and infrastructure.

I would eliminate the Quality of Life Committee and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Constitutional City government has no place providing arts, entertainment, funding to philanthropic activities or trying to bring in more business for motels and restaurants.

I would reduce the Redevelopment Agency activities to providing more roads, and nothing else. Current proposed funding such as $1 Million in grants for face lifts to Balsam Street businesses would be eliminated. This agency is a largely hidden means of increasing our children's future tax burden, and needs to be curbed. In addition, it is required to set aside 20% of funds it receives for low cost, subsidized housing. And our citizens wonder why this type housing keeps popping up in our City. I would try to find a way to get out of having to fund this type of unconstitutional housing welfare in our area.

I will further actively try to trim any and all activities and spending by our City which do not strictly follow the two primary City government functions of providing police protection and maintaining the infrastructure.