Rough Rider Hits the Campaign Trail

Having never run for elected office before, everything is still very new. The fact that I'm really running for city council, while initially a self-induced shock, continues to amaze me; especially since there is no way I can compete with the experience of the other candidates. At a recent "Meet the Candidates" event, I sat listening to the other candidates in utter fascination. Four men, two of them incumbents, one of them a retired police officer and former city councilman, and the fourth, a member on the economic advisory committee for Santa Paula had all the experience I lack. They are directly involved in Santa Paula's political economy, and three of them, I believe, are natives of Santa Paula. They are not only on top of all the issues, they seem to have been born to the issues. So besides being a woman and being new (and humbled), what do I have to offer that would merit your consideration?
Not one to give up, I discovered that evening, and can say with total confidence,  that none of the gentlemen candidates has my perspective, which is to bring a generation of resourceful young people to Santa Paula with housing and industry, with new cultural venues and educational opportunities. Along with this approach is the conviction that Santa Paula's immediate problems can be solved in ways that may not have been considered before. For example, at the same candidates forum, one pressing issue for Santa Paula seniors living at Rancho Santa Paula is that they are facing an unusually high rent increase that will cause financial hardship for those on fixed incomes. It was revealed that the owner of the property purchased it at the top of the market, believing that property values could only go up. (Sound familiar?) The argument for rent control was raised, but rent control only gives property owners an excuse to not maintain their properties. A better solution would be for landlords of large communities where a high percentage of seniors on fixed incomes and those on disability reside, is to have a contract with the city that prevents excessive increases. This would not be anything like rent control because it would not apply across the board for everyone. In other words, we need to immediately protect those who need our protection until we can come up with a better solution during this unstable economic climate. Another problem that came up for discussion had to do with the Santa Paul Freeway, which runs parallel to Rancho Santa Paula. A recent accident has shown that the chain link fence alongside the road is not enough of a barrier to protect those living nearby. A wall can better help prevent a disaster and alleviate noise. Can this be a "shovel ready" infrastructure project that the federal government could fund right away? It would definitely help local residents and the local economy.

Sustainable economic development and the revitalization of Santa Paula's downtown has got to come from new blood. I will bet my life on this. Winning for Santa Paula is you and me, and the welcoming environment we create through tax incentives and the planning for new communities that resonate with the aspirations of a productive, imaginative younger generation. Bringing Santa Paula into the 21st century requires a zest for life, inventiveness, and the desire to succeed and be happy no matter what. So, yes, it's true, I am running for city council and time is running out. I have to hurry up and order yard signs and get them onto people's front lawns, and get my message across door to door. Hope to see you soon!