Healthcare Education and Advocacy
2020 has been a trying year for all. As we face this pandemic together, it is crucial that we partner with our local healthcare providers and hospitals not just now but for years to come.
In early January 2020, I faced a breast cancer diagnosis. Thanks be to God that I successfully battled breast cancer with 16 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and now radiation. It has been a long road, but has shown my perseverance, resilience, and strength. I am forever grateful for God’s amazing healing. I am eternally thankful to all of the healthcare providers, doctors, and nurses who provided top notch care especially during this trying time for all. It is important to give our residents the healthcare education, healthcare services, and healthcare partnerships that are needed to keep our community safe and healthy regarding all health related issues. This is of utmost importance.
Helping Seniors and Preventing Isolationism
I continue to work with our seniors to make sure that they have the resources and services they need. For years I have been helping seniors and making sure that seniors have a voice and are fully represented. It is crucial that our seniors are advocated for and that seniors have access to healthcare, community services, and social interactions. I will continue to work hard to prevent isolationism which affects one’s mental and physical health.
Preserving and Protecting Irvine’s Neighborhoods, Villages and Open Space
I am committed to protecting and preserving the Master Plan which is the essence of Irvine. This includes protecting our neighborhoods, Villages of Irvine, open spaces, trails, and parks so that Irvine residents can continue to enjoy all that Irvine offers.
Transportation
I am committed to finding safe transportation solutions that work in our city. As the population in our city has grown, so have transportation needs. In addition, many people come to Irvine to work. As former Chair of the Irvine Transportation Commission, I am addressing how to keep Irvine residents and commuters moving. As a job hub here in Irvine, we enjoy many benefits; however, we must address our transportation needs and seek out traffic mitigation efforts.
The traffic relief solutions that we pursue must include road and intersection improvements, signal synchronization (which will alleviate unnecessary waiting periods at many of our intersections), as well as active transportation needs. We must continue to take steps to safeguard motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and improve access to quality public transportation.
Public Safety
Irvine is known as one of the safest cities to live, work, and raise a family. I am committed to keeping Irvine at the top of the list as one of the safest cities to reside in the U.S. Irvine has been ranked as the safest city of its size nationally for 12 consecutive years.
My background in public safety policy will allow me to analyze public safety items that come before the Council, and will enable me to make well thought through policy decisions regarding how to maintain our high level of public safety for the City of Irvine. Many residents move to Irvine to live in a top rated safe city. I am committed to working with our Police Department and making sure they have the public safety funds and resources necessary to keep our city the safest city possible.
Fiscal Soundness
I believe in doing our best and maximizing our city dollars. In addition, there are many instances where Irvine is a “donor city,” often paying much more than our fair share for services, programs, and other local amenities. I am committed to reviewing all of the instances where Irvine is currently a “donor city” and seeing what can be done to lessen the disparity.
As Irvine Taxpayers Association Chair, I am committed to fiscally responsible proposals which will protect Irvine taxpayers, and to fiscally wise governance of our city. I will work to ensure long-term fiscal soundness and to avoid the need for future tax increases. I will work to maintain and preserve the quality of life that we as Irvine residents and taxpayers have grown accustomed to while protecting us fiscally.
Youth Education and Recreation Amenities
Irvine is home to a host of schools and learning institutions that are internationally known. Our focus on our students of all ages has made Irvine a leader in education. It is important that we continue to provide access to studies which prepare our students for tomorrow’s economy.
Access to computers, technical training, and the arts, for our students is key; along with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math courses.
Initiating an Ethics Commission
I look forward to initiating an Irvine Ethics Commission in order to bring additional transparency and accountability to our City. It is imperative that the Irvine residents are informed and are represented with fairness, respect, and inclusivity.
Veterans Cemetery
I will work with residents, local, state, and federal officials, and with Cal Vet to make the long-promised Veterans Cemetery at ARDA a reality. It is time to move forward without delay. On the City Council, I will initiate a schedule and stick to it for completion of the cemetery. I will make sure that Irvine residents’ and veterans’ voices are heard and that action is taken.