There Is Work To Do

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Local Economic Development

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"Local economic development is about creating jobs, securing livelihoods, improving infrastructure, and managing local resources."*

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Plans: Suisun City is currently facing a tough budget year, that is why for me it is imperative that we have both short-term and long-term plans in place to attain long-term sustainability. In the short-term, identifying the resources we currently have available to support the operations of our city, keeping our community safe, and supporting our small businesses is imperative. In the long-term, we must assess the financial needs for the next 10-15 years at a minimum and implement strategic plans that will identify revenue streams that are sustainable. This includes identifying opportunities to create greater efficiencies in our services, attain grants that can fund development plans to attract and retain small businesses, and continue to provide transparent and accountable financial reports than can inform decision making. 

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Currently: At this time, as part of the Suisun City Economic Pandemic Impact Citizen's (EPIC) Advisory Committee, I have been working to support our small businesses by visiting them to provide updates such as information regarding the emergency outdoor dining permits available, information the regarding Payroll Protection Program (PPP), and to survey their current needs. 

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Public Safety

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"Public safety involves protecting the public, safeguarding people from crimes, disasters, and other potential dangers and threats."*

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Plans: I believe in empowering community members to support the safety needs of our city. In the case of a citywide emergency due to a disaster, I believe that citizens can be one of the greatest resources to help support our First Responders. My plans include implementing training for citizens who wish to be part of emergency response teams, such as the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) program, and creating a network of volunteers that can be trained in disaster preparedness. Our citizens include language interpreters, nurses, doctors, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and a variety of tradesmen and women who have a unique set of abilities that can support our community during an emergency.

 

I also acknowledge that Suisun City, just like many cities, has seen a rise in homelessness. Although homelessness is a complex issue requiring county and state support, local intervention in coordination with police officers and social services that can support on-site mental health assessment to attain access to treatment is imperative. In addition, continuous advocacy for grants or county/state funds that can support transitional housing and rehabilitation programs at a local level will allow for local oversight of an effective crisis response system that can help people exit homelessness.  Homelessness prevention programs are also an approach to support homeless community members. In a 2019 Solano County Homeless Census & Survey Comprehensive Report, the top four (4) responses that would have prevented homelessness includes employment assistance, alcohol/drug counseling, rent/mortgage assistance, and mental health services. In addition to supporting homeless community members to transition out of living on the streets, I believe implementing pre-homeless intervention programs coordinated with Solano County will also help decrease the number of community members left without a home.

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Currently: At this time, as president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I work with non-profit organizations in the community to support community education regarding public safety, citizen's rights (such as tenants' rights), and addressing public health needs such as mental health programs.

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Community Engagement:

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"Community engagement promotes the idea that through intentional interactions between government organizations and communities, community members can- and do- influence policymaking."*

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Plans: Suisun City has a very diverse community and it is important that members feel included in the policymaking process. I believe it is important that community members understand and are aware of community issues that would benefit from their input. I would like to implement both traditional and digital engagement frameworks that enable various community participation levels. These would include participatory forums, community feedback protocols, online community panels, and citizen's assemblies made up of diverse community members that reflect different age groups, gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and other demographics that can provide input that represents our community as a whole. It is important to me to understand the implications of policy decisions to different members of our community and that they have the opportunity to feel heard and represented, especially on complex issues. 

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Currently: At this time, as a board member of the Solano County Library Foundation and as a member of the Solano County Diverse Educator Network, I am working towards addressing inequities that exist in our community and our schools. This includes working to help reduce the school dropout rate, help increase child and adult literacy, support migrant programs for children of farmworkers, and increase our diverse educator pipeline. This work is directly influenced by community feedback and input on areas to improve on in our county, which affects local programs.

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Quality of Life

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"Where we live matters. It shapes our well-being, local environment, sense of safety, personal prosperity, and opportunities."*

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Plans: Suisun City is home. We should feel proud of where we live, feel secure, and have access to opportunities. I believe Suisun City is a great place to live, but we still have a lot of work to do. The worn-down city streets, the trash found throughout the community, and the empty buildings and unkempt empty lots are a few examples of areas we can improve on. In addition, COVID-19 has added a layer of strain that we are all navigating through. My goal and focus are to help implement the 2020-2025 Suisun City Strategic Plan (see overview below). Residents have voiced their priorities, my job is to bring my background, experience, and work ethic to ensure this strategic plan is implemented and results-driven.