1. What do you see as the three most important goals to be achieved in Seaside over the next two years?

a) Ensuring our current development projects continue to return the budget to a healthy condition, b) Maintaining a reliable water supply, c) Ensuring police and fire departments are fully equipped and trained to continue providing first-rate service.

2. Please describe a few new ideas or issues you plan to bring to the City Council.

I feel strongly that the concept of community policing will add value to the City of Seaside. Community policing is based on the concept that involving police officers more directly with the residents leads to better communication between residents and the police, better understanding of neighborhood issues and deterrence of crime. One of my focus areas as a current City Council member has been the establishment and success of neighborhood associations. These groups are formed by Seaside residents to improve their neighborhoods through activities such as park clean-ups, neighborhood watch programs and other events.

3. What do you see as the current council's greatest strengths and weaknesses?

The current City Council’s strengths include: strong teamwork, a shared vision of improving the city, and the lack of personal agendas in decision-making.

4. What is your message to Seaside residents about the performance of City Manager Ray Corpuz, who is facing criticism from the local group Citizens for Transparency in Government?

A main priority of Corpuz’s job is to find ways to balance the budget, which he does well, especially in this current economically challenged time. He is also very responsive to any requests or questions I forward to him from residents, and follows up with them promptly.

5. Two of you are running for mayor, and four are running for two council seats. Besides yourself, which candidates do you endorse?

I hope that Seaside voters re-elect the current council so we can continue to work together towards fiscal stability.

6. Please use this space to mention anything else you feel is important for voters to consider.

My experience as a former chair of the Neighborhood Improvement Commission and police officer helps provide expertise to the City Council in issues involving public safety, code enforcement and neighborhood groups. As a teacher at Seaside High School, I am also directly involved in youth development issues.