“I decided to run for mayor because I believed California City deserved leadership that could see beyond where we were and envision where we could go. I saw a city with challenges, certainly, but I also saw tremendous untapped potential. I saw our land, our airport, our people, our young people, our location and our opportunities for economic development. As an educator, I’ve spent most of my life believing that you don’t give up on people because they’re facing challenges—you invest in them. I brought that same philosophy to California City. I ran because I wanted to help stabilize our city, strengthen our finances, address infrastructure, create opportunities for our residents and begin building something that the next generation can inherit and be proud of. I didn’t run because I thought I could fix everything overnight. I ran because I believed somebody had to be willing to start the work—and stay committed to it.”
Economic development must remain one of California City's highest priorities. We need to expand our tax base, attract private investment, support existing businesses, create opportunities for entrepreneurs, and pursue industries that match California City's unique geography and assets. My priorities include: Aggressively marketing California City to investors and developers. Expanding our commercial and industrial tax base. Supporting small and locally owned businesses. Pursuing logistics, manufacturing, aerospace, energy, technology, entertainment and other emerging industries. Developing stronger partnerships with regional, state and federal economic-development organizations. Preparing land, infrastructure and development opportunities so California City becomes easier to invest in. Using our Opportunity Zone and other economic-development tools to attract capital. Continuing to pursue responsible residential development that increases our population and strengthens our ability to attract retailers. California City cannot simply wait for development. We must position ourselves for development.
Workforce Development & Jobs Economic development and workforce development must work together. Bringing businesses to California City is important, but our residents must also have the training necessary to compete for the jobs those businesses create. I support: Vocational and skilled-trade training. Heavy-equipment and construction training. Partnerships with community colleges, universities, workforce agencies and employers. Apprenticeships and career pathways for young adults. Training opportunities in aerospace, logistics, renewable energy, technology, public safety, healthcare and the skilled trades. Entrepreneurship and financial-literacy programs. Creating pathways that allow California City residents to train locally and ultimately work locally. Our goal should be straightforward: bring jobs closer to our residents and prepare our residents for those jobs.
Our streets and roads remain one of the most visible challenges facing California City. There is no overnight solution to decades of deferred maintenance across a city with an enormous geographic footprint. But that cannot become an excuse for inaction. I support a long-term infrastructure strategy that includes: Expanding preventative road maintenance. Crack sealing and pavement preservation before roads deteriorate further. Prioritizing the most heavily traveled and deteriorated streets. Developing a transparent multi-year road improvement schedule. Aggressively pursuing state and federal transportation grants. Identifying additional dedicated infrastructure funding. Improving drainage, signage and traffic safety. Coordinating road improvements with water, sewer and utility projects whenever possible so we do not repeatedly tear up newly repaired streets. Our objective must be to move from reacting to failing roads to systematically maintaining our infrastructure.
Water, Sewer & Sustainable Growth California City's future development depends upon reliable infrastructure. Water and wastewater infrastructure must be part of every serious conversation about housing, retail and economic development. I support: Protecting and responsibly managing our water resources. Modernizing aging water infrastructure. Addressing leaks and system inefficiencies. Expanding sewer infrastructure where financially and environmentally feasible. Developing strategies for transitioning appropriate development from septic systems to sewer. Maximizing the capacity of our wastewater treatment infrastructure. Pursuing grants and outside funding before placing additional burdens on residents. Making infrastructure planning part of our long-term economic-development strategy. Growth must be planned, sustainable and supported by infrastructure.Water, Sewer & Sustainable Growth
California City needs housing for working families, seniors, young adults and people who want an opportunity to become homeowners. I support: Affordable and workforce housing. First-time homeownership opportunities. Responsible new residential construction. Partnerships with nonprofit and private housing developers. Programs that help residents move from renting to ownership. Senior housing and housing appropriate for residents with different needs. Encouraging quality development while protecting existing neighborhoods. Housing development also supports economic development. More residents mean more customers, a stronger tax base and a greater ability to attract retailers and services.
Residents should not have to leave California City for nearly everything they purchase. We must continue working to capture more of the dollars currently being spent outside our community. I support actively recruiting: Grocery and specialty food retailers. Restaurants and family dining. Clothing and general merchandise retailers. Home improvement and automotive businesses. Healthcare and professional services. Entertainment businesses. Hotels and hospitality development. Retail recruitment also requires increasing population, improving infrastructure, strengthening household purchasing power and demonstrating to companies that California City can support their investment. We should pursue retailers aggressively while being realistic about what those companies require before entering a market.
Economic development isn't only about attracting companies. It is also about creating a community where people want to invest. Appearance matters. I support: Regular community cleanup programs. Stronger code enforcement focused on genuine neighborhood problems. Removing illegal dumping and abandoned debris. Improving gateways into California City. Landscaping and streetscape improvements. Beautifying parks and public spaces. Encouraging businesses and property owners to improve commercial corridors. Expanding partnerships with volunteers, civic organizations, businesses and young people. We should create a California City that residents are proud to show visitors, businesses and prospective investors.
One of the most common concerns I hear is that there simply aren't enough things to do in California City. Changing that must be part of our long-term vision. I support expanding: Youth sports and recreation. After-school and summer programs. Arts, music and cultural activities. Youth leadership opportunities. Community events and festivals. Library and educational programming. Aquatics and recreation. Safe gathering spaces for teenagers. Partnerships with nonprofits, schools, churches and community organizations. Our children should not have to grow up believing that opportunity and entertainment only exist somewhere else.
California City has the space and potential to become a regional destination for recreation and entertainment. I want us to think bigger about leisure opportunities, including: Improving Central Park and neighborhood parks. Strengthening our golf course as a recreational and economic asset. Developing our airport and surrounding opportunities. Exploring entertainment districts and family entertainment centers. Hotels, restaurants and destination recreation. Sports tournaments and regional events. Concerts, festivals and cultural events. Exploring lawful gaming and entertainment opportunities where legally permissible and economically beneficial. Outdoor recreation that takes advantage of our desert environment. The goal is not simply entertainment. Leisure and recreation can also become economic-development tools that bring visitors and outside dollars into California City.
Economic development means very little if residents do not feel safe. I support: Maintaining strong police services. Improving recruitment and retention. Strengthening community policing. Using technology strategically to improve public safety. Addressing speeding and traffic safety. Improving emergency preparedness. Supporting CERT and community preparedness programs. Working with regional law-enforcement and fire-service partners. Making sure residents can access public-safety information and services efficiently. Public safety must remain a fundamental responsibility of local government.
California City should not plan only for the next election cycle. We should be planning for the next generation. I support developing a long-range California City 2050 strategy focused on: Smart-city technology. Broadband and digital infrastructure. Renewable and alternative energy. Energy storage. Aerospace and aviation. Logistics and transportation. Advanced manufacturing. Entertainment and media production. Sustainable residential communities. Modern infrastructure. Regional partnerships. Strategic development of our enormous land assets. California City's size has often been described as one of our greatest challenges. I believe it can also become one of our greatest economic assets.
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
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916 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274