Candidate for
County Supervisor; San Joaquin County; Supervisorial District 2

San Joaquin County has weathered the Great Recession better than many local governments because of strong financial policies, such as adequate reserves, and the willingness of the current Board to provide progressive leadership in developing a business model that increases efficiencies to preserve services.

I strongly support the current direction of the Board. If elected, my priorities would be in the following areas:

• Public Safety - All efforts must be made to ensure that sufficient funding is provided by the State to safely and successfully implement AB109/Realignment. Current policies of providing services in a progressive and more cost-efficient manner should continue. I support the investment in upgrading the current Honor Farm. This will relieve some pressure on the jail without the huge ongoing cost of staffing a full jail expansion. In addition, I support the concept of Community Correction Centers, as another tool to provide critical re-entry services and reduce recidivism. Successful implementation of Stockton's Marshall Plan on Crime depends on continued collaboration with the County stakeholders. I have been a strong and vocal supporter of this innovative plan, which is already bearing fruit in the form of significant reductions in all areas of Stockton crime, but especially in violent crime.

• Grow our Economy - Attracting family-wage jobs is the key to a sustainable economy. We must work closely with our economic partners, including the Port of Stockton and the San Joaquin Partnership, to ensure a strong and diversified local economy. We must strategically pursue opportunities to increase the positive economic impact of our airport. Developing and strengthening collaboration with our community partners in Education to provide a well-educated workforce is also a key policy I support. Community School Partnerships, where the County, School District and non-profit organizations are delivering services to our most challenged neighborhoods right where they are needed most, are excellent examples of how this type of policy can be successful.

• Protect Our Water and Agriculture - Protecting our water supply and providing effective flood control are critical to agriculture, the largest segment of our county economy, as well as to business, industry and residents. I have been involved in local, regional and statewide water issues as Chair of the Council Water Committee and for the past five years have worked on the Delta Water Supply Project, groundwater banking, flood control and protection of the San Joaquin Delta. On critical water issues, I will provide continuity and continued leadership to the Board of Supervisors. Agriculture contributes almost $3billion annually to our economy and we must support and protect it. Current County policies to concentrate development in existing urban areas must continue to prevent excessive conversion of agricultural land.

• Maintain Strong Fiscal Health - Careful oversight of the county budget must continue to enable re-funding of capital projects, set aside in the Great Recession. These projects will bring high-quality, family-wage jobs to our region and are critical for our long-term economic vitality. The impacts of Health Care Reform must be monitored closely to reduce negative impacts on our County Hospital and strengthen recent improvements in its operations. I strongly support the current Hospital Board Chair and the operational reforms enacted in recent years to improve delivery of services and the financial stability of the hospital. Identifying and capitalizing on new or under-provided services, such as creation of the Trauma Center, must continue to ensure the long-term viability of this essential community resource.