Mayor Candidate Responses to Leaque Questions from June 2008

Candidates for the City of Fresno Respond to League Questions

Introduction.  Mayoral Questions.  Gangs.  Jobless Problem.

Introduction to Mayoral Candidate Questions

The runoff elections for Mayor will be in November 2008. We hope this information will be helpful as you decide for whom to vote for Mayor of Fresno.

For more candidate information http://www.smartvoter.org

Fresno Works for Better Health Advocacy Center Questionnaire

The 10x10 Blue Ribbon Commission has developed a strategic plan to significantly increase and improve the inventory of safe, healthy, accessible housing that is affordable to very low to moderate income workers and families by 2010. How will you support the implementation of this plan?

Perea-Housing has become one of the defining issues in our community. With the increasing rates of foreclosed homes and a housing stock still out of reach for many in our community, now more then ever we need leadership that can execute a vision. I see the 10x10 affordable housing plan as the blue print that will turn the American dream into reality. Within my first 100 days in office, I will put together a community implementation team to hold the city accountable in following through the recommendations in the plan. I will work with our banks to fund the Housing Trust Fund, invest more in in-fill housing and transit oriented development and support universal design on city funded projects to make housing more accessible. I also believe, to prevent more people from loosing their homes, that we must work with our non-profits and faith-based organizations stop the high rates of foreclosures. I will also expand our down payment assistance program and use proactive code enforcement on slum properties. I am fully committed to building housing that is affordable for working families.

Swearengin-First, I want to acknowledge the work of the 10 x 10 Blue Ribbon Commission. I am grateful to the commission members and staff who have worked tirelessly to advance the cause of affordable housing.

I have reviewed the 10 x 10 final action plan, interviewed several of the commission and staff members, and participated in several committee meetings. While I have some questions about the most effective path to implement some of the recommendations, I am wholeheartedly committed to the goals of the 10 x 10 strategic plan. If elected Mayor of Fresno, I would actively work with the Commission to ensure implementation of the strategic plan.

Of the many recommendations outlined in the plan, I view the following as priorities:

• Expanding pro-active code enforcement to crack down on substandard housing and transform those units into safe, affordable housing opportunities;
• Streamlining the approval process, reducing administrative barriers, and providing economic incentives to empower the private sector to develop affordable housing units;
• Adopting smart growth policies and guidelines in community and specific plans; and
• Working with the County of Fresno and the Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care to develop and implement the ten-year plan on homelessness. Such a plan must address the area's shortage of emergency, transitional and permanent supportive care housing.

How will you ensure that we succeed in eliminating the influence and damage of gangs in our city?

Perea-As I go door-to-door throughout the city, crime, gangs and drugs are among the top concerns expressed by neighbors. To be successful in eliminating the damage caused by gangs and drugs, I believe we must take a multi faceted approach to address the issue. First, we must ensure we have enough officers on the street to keep us safe. I am committed to hiring more police officers. Second, we must invest more in prevention and intervention programs. I will place a strong emphasis on after school programs and ensure there are safe alternatives for our youth. Lastly, I will keep job creation at the center of our efforts to reduce gang activity.

Swearengin-Uprooting the presence and influence of gangs in our city is urgent. As the Mayor of Fresno, I will do everything possible to ensure that we take our community back from the influence of gangs through comprehensive and aggressive actions. As Mayor, I will lead City Hall to work in close coordination with every other sector in our community to turn the tide on gang activity. It's going to take all of us + parents and guardians, law enforcement, educators, social workers, elected officials, non-profit leaders, and communities of faith. The following city departments have components to contribute to a comprehensive, community-wide solution to eliminate gang activity: Fresno Police Department and the Mayor's Gang Prevention Initiative; Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services; Code Enforcement; and the Economic Development Department. I will ensure that all relevant resources at City Hall are squarely focused on uprooting gang activity. I will also ensure that the City of Fresno is an active partner in a community-wide, anti-gang initiative that includes the County of Fresno and its many relevant departments, school districts, parent associations, non-profits, and faith-based organizations.

Fresno has had task forces, initiatives and committees all studying the jobless problem in Fresno. What would you do differently?

Perea-It is very true that city hall has enough plans on the books. Now is the time for action. For the last 5 ½ years on the city council, I have a proven record of bringing people together around a common purpose. The next Mayor must be able to bring diverse groups together to build consensus around common issues like gangs, air quality, economic development, poverty, downtown and neighborhood revitalization. In my first 100 days in office, I would work with the city council and community groups to identify a collective agenda and begin implementation.

Swearengin-I am uniquely qualified to address Fresno's unemployment challenges. I am the co-founder and director of the Regional Jobs Initiative and also head Governor Schwarzenegger's California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, the two most comprehensive economic development initiatives in the area. I know from first-hand experience what it takes to shift from "conducting studies" to getting things accomplished that support the growth of the local economy. Past economic development efforts have focused too much on recruiting firms from outside the region and not enough on supporting our local businesses, supporting the start-up of new companies, and training our local workforce so they are prepared for the jobs that exist in our market. As the Mayor of Fresno, I would shift the City's focus to these activities.

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