Priorities
We have much to value in University Heights and significant assets that we must build upon for the future. I believe in working hard to get things done, encouraging new ideas and facilitating solutions.
FINANCE - Analyze the City's financial position; there is uncertainty in light of the former Finance Director's removal. Promote transparency and accountability on budgetary matters. Promote efficiency and best use of our tax dollars to assure the continuation of high quality city services. Property tax receipts tend to lag changes in the market and "the full weight of declining real estate values in the past two years will not be felt by cities until 2010, 2011 and 2012, city officials say." [CNN.com/US, 9-1-09] Aggressively pursue external funding resources from state, federal and other agencies.
HOUSING - Enhance the quality, beauty and maintenance of our homes. Develop or partner with an agency such as the Home Repair Resource Center (www.hrrc-ch.org) to provide low interest loans, tool sharing, financial education and classes for homeowners to stem foreclosures in our community and encourage prompt response to inspections. Explore the creation of a multi-community revolving loan fund to provide low interest home renovation loans. Promote HRRC programs that are available to our residents.
COMMUNICATION - Improve the quality and accessibility of current communication between residents and the City using prompt and timely media tools such as the internet and improved use of City Watch, the reverse 911 system. Promote the wealth of information available on the website. Create forms that can be completed and filed online. Design a visually appealing monthly newsletter using more effective publishing tools.
BUILD ON OUR EXISTING ASSETS - Enhance connections and relationships with key local assets. Draw on existing community strengths to catapult the city successfully forward. Utilize consultants who have clear evidence of successful track records in key areas such as economic development, grantwriting and marketing. Focus on increasing the professionalism and knowledge of the best practices employed in city government to ensure the continuation and enhancement of what we value in University Heights.
