Civic Engagement

When it comes to making decisions that impact people’s lives of a given neighborhood, civic engagement with special attention to equity and inclusion is very important. We need to do better at empowering our neighborhoods to take control of decisions that are theirs.

That is why as Mayor I will be sure to:

• support the creation of neighborhood associations as identified in the 1999 Master Plan to be sure residents have a voice on how resources are spent in their neighborhoods. It is my belief that through neighborhood associations we will be able to cultivate the next generation of city leaders either elected or appointed.
• establish a neighborhood compact program in which my administration would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local neighborhood associations and community non-profit organisations to strengthen our partnership and support key quality-of-life projects in the neighborhoods. This is a way I look forward to not only talking about it during campaign time, but get into a signed agreement of which my administration would collaborate with organisations to be sure priorities are being addressed.

 

My Experience

For decades since I was in grade school, I have been actively involved in all sorts of important issues, events, and initiatives that help build my community. To-date, I have worked with many people of all ages and all neighborhoods of our City to provide any support that I can to address issues important to them. Oftentimes, people feel like their community or local government does not care about them. Now I know that is not true, nevertheless, it’s a general feeling.

For example:

• Youth sometimes feel like they don’t have a voice.
• Our veterans sometimes feel like they are left behind.
• People from low-income neighborhoods or our friends that receive some sort of subsidy oftentimes feel like they are treated like second-class citizens.
• Our elderly sometimes feel like they are not supported.
• Our business owners sometimes feel like the city is against them.
• Families with children and single parent households are frustrated as well.

Please know that I hear you and as your next Mayor, I look forward to strengthening our local government and collaborating with key stakeholders to build a community you can be proud of.