Commentary: Why I’m running for Costa Mesa City Council

As a candidate for City Council in Costa Mesa District 6, one of the first questions I usually get from people in my life goes something like, “Why in the world are you doing this?”

The answer is uncomplicated: It is the right thing to do. The best way to understand what is most important to the citizens is to ask them, and that is what I did.

1) Why do neighboring cities have nicer roads, parks and sporting fields and what can be done to improve ours? The city of Costa Mesa is projected to have a budget deficit of $30 million in fiscal year 2020-21.

Infrastructure has been neglected in favor of taxpayer money being directed toward things like employee compensation and pension benefits. I believe in a fiscally conservative approach that includes balancing the budget and paying down unfunded liabilities so that monies can be directed to infrastructure improvement for the citizens.

2) What can be done about the homeless crisis that considers the needs of the homeless and the community? We have parallel moral and civic responsibilities as leaders in the area of homelessness: to commit to helping the homeless, as well as respecting the right our citizens have to physical safety.

I have spent the last nine years of my career working in the field of mental health and substance abuse. Costa Mesa leaders have been relatively successful in focusing on housing for the homeless. Prevention efforts need to include social workers, counselors, outreach specialists, private sector and law enforcement.

Costa Mesa city leadership has made good faith efforts with respect to the homeless community in the past. Leadership turnover and the resulting imbalance in the power structure led to a lack of focus and funding prioritization. Again, we must balance the budget and redirect funding to solving the homeless crisis.

3) What can be done about the increase in property theft, suspicious people in the neighborhood and coyote problem? The increase in crime is tied to poor fiscal policy. A balanced budget can allow for directing more funding to our police.

Costa Mesa deserves a well-equipped, well-funded and well-staffed police force. As a City Council member, I support sound fiscal policy that prioritizes funding endeavors that support the quality of life for the citizens of Costa Mesa.

The writer is one of 15 candidates running for three open seats on the Costa Mesa City Council.

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