A City that is Economically Sound: As Chief of Police I managed a $112 million annual budget. Los Angeles County Police is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in the county with over 450 sworn members, 160 civilian employees and a contracted security staff of 800 guards. I know about setting priorities according to available resources and maintaining prudent stewardship of your money. Because of the economic downturn, including the real estate market decline, financial institutions failing, employment uncertainties, and limits on state and federal resources, cities must take a critical look at budget management, including costs covering staff and programs and the efficiency of those operations. Current economic times require that hard choices must be made in the immediate future. City council members need a clear and concise analysis of the present and projected financial situation of the city, thorough understanding of what constituencies want and expect in services and programs, and discipline and discernment to make fiscally responsible decisions regarding the city’s current and future economic status. I believe the time to look critically at the way government spends your money is always, not just in difficult economic times. Waste in government should never happen.

Transparency in Government: As your representative in government I will not only represent your interests in district and citywide debate and decisions, but I will also assure that you are kept well informed and have opportunity for input and advice. Your individual investment in government, through payment of your taxes and fees, and your commitment, time, and money, entitle you to be fully informed about what your government does and why and how it does it.

Accountability in Government: Pasadena has no city auditor. Rightfully, each city department executive is responsible for ensuring that their operation is run properly according to policy and procedures and internal oversight. However, I believe that city elected-officials have an obligation to their constituencies to ensure that the city departments are run effectively and efficiently and that taxpayer money is well spent. I support independent, objective and regular auditing of city department operations.

Public Safety: There is significant crime in some areas of Pasadena. For the city to thrive as a business, educational, medical, scientific, entertainment and cultural center, those who live, work and visit Pasadena must be safe. Pasadena must maintain and improve its reputation as a vibrant, secure and clean city. We must support our police and fire services by allocating the resources they need to ensure a secure environment throughout the city.

Not only as individuals but as a city, Pasadena must be prepared for an inevitable disaster. Disasters in the form of terrorism, earthquakes, fires, floods and pandemics are events for which responsible cities prepare. Pasadena works with other police and fire agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County and with state and federal governments. We must support the work they do in the area of disaster preparedness. In Pasadena we host world renowned events and iconic institutions. We must be prepared to protect the city and sustain it should a disaster occur.

An Educational System that Works for All Children in Pasadena: Although the elected school board has responsibility for direct oversight of the Pasadena School District, all residents of Pasadena have an obligation to the children of Pasadena and their ultimate success through education. Elementary, middle, and high schools are the foundation for later academic and life successes, and it is imperative that the city and its residents partner in supporting quality education for all. Our children are our most important resource, and our future as a society depends upon their readiness to become the leaders of tomorrow. Through public and private partnerships we must help to secure their future, and ours, through support for Pasadena’s educational systems.

Energy and the Environment: Pasadena is working to create a plan that will meet its future energy challenges by reducing the city’s dependence on coal power and developing new sources of green power. To comply with a state law enacted in 2006, Pasadena must cut its current greenhouse emissions 25 percent from 1990 levels. The challenge will be to look at the options and balance attendant cost with the desire of our city to utilize green power. I advocate for the study of European style bicycle lanes on arterial roadways, revision of our building code to include grey water recovery and collection systems and more neighborhood open space including pocket parks, dog parks and recreational playing fields. My family and I have made a personal commitment to environmental issues. During the restoration and preservation project of our 1908 home in Madison Heights, we installed high efficiency HVAC systems and insulation, DOE approved appliances, double glazed doors and windows, timer controlled and drip watering systems, and we use compact fluorescent bulbs. We diligently recycle and produce organically grown vegetables in our garden.