What Have We Accomplished

By Dan Cort

• Filled Our Boards and Commissions--with enthusiastic, qualified individuals through a public interview process that is open to all residents.

• Completed the Golf Course Club House--and instituted policies that have already increased revenues from this valuable resource while reducing the impacts to the adjacent neighborhood.

• Refinished the Tennis Courts--Thanks to the generosity of residents and businesses our community enjoys beautifully refinished tennis courts, serving as an example of a community working together.

• Deciphered the City's Cryptic Budget--finding significant shortfalls (estimated to be $700,000 this year alone) with millions in unfunded liabilities. We've since implemented performance based budgeting, created a citizen's budget advisory board with professional volunteers, and have put in place new policies and procedures to make sure budgeting failures of the past do not take place again.

• Reviewed All Aspects of Budget Expenses and Revenues--This Council has not shirked from our responsibility to review all expenditures and potential revenue sources and has made the tough calls required to determine what is needed to balance our budget and meet our liabilities while maintaining quality services for our residents.

• Upheld Our Ordinances & Contractual Agreements --We've worked hard to follow the letter and spirit of our laws, our General Plan, and to comply with our City's contractual agreements. This Council has not played favorites and, when necessary, we've taken steps to fairly enforce these commitments.

• Committed to Substantial Funding and a Time Line for Infrastructure Repair--We have budgeted the funds necessary to put us back on track with our crucial sewer repair and replacement program. Maintenance and repair of our streets, sewers, storm drains and public buildings are vital to the continued prosperity and health of our community and can no longer be deferred.

• Meet Our City's Budgeting Challenges--We must strictly manage our assets to pay off our current debt and plan for the future. This means increased efficiencies, decreased expenses, and looking for new and enhanced revenue sources. As your mayor, I'll work hard to ensure the community is involved in these important budgeting decisions.

• Supporting Local Businesses-- To ensure the future economic stability of our community, I will listen to the concerns of the business community and give due attention to their needs. I will prioritize the maintenance and repair of our public streets, lights and infrastructure. I will continue to support public/private partnerships to promote Pacific Grove businesses. I will promote and encourage business incubators that offer small businesses a chance to grow and prosper.

• Protecting Our Quality of Life--I will work to protect and enhance our City's parks, coastline, and other open spaces and will commit adequate resources to these valuable assets. This includes developing a comprehensive urban forest plan and improving our ordinances concerning tree removal and replacement.

I will encourage continued efforts to preserve and protect our historic architecture through programs that offer homeowners incentives to maintain and restore their historic properties.