What is the essence of Davis? Why is it such a very special place to live and grow? All of us who have the privilege of living in this wonderful community feel in our hearts that this is a special place. I believe that this community is made up of people who care -- care about family, about neighbors, about the city -- people who are willing to step up and be counted on issues that matter. I cherish the opportunity that the people of Davis have given me to work with them, to work on issues that count.
I am delighted that a recent survey reflected a high degree of citizen satisfaction with city services. But, the magic that is Davis cannot be taken for granted. Like a green plant, the spirit of community must be nourished to sustain itself. If neglected or taken for granted it will wilt and wither away. I want to continue to work with all of you to nourish our spirit, to build on the willingness of Davis to address serious problem, to debate even to disagree, and then to pull together. We go to meetings, we write letters to the editor, and we take the time to contact our elected officials. I wouldn't have it any other way! Together we can solve any problem. Together we will thread the needle to keep Davis a great place to grow up, a great place to live, a model for sustainability and innovation and a place our local heroes are proud to call home.
The challenges are there but together we can respond to them in a vigorous, exciting way. Challenges can become opportunities - opportunities to strengthen our community even more.
Engaging our community means paying special attention to members of our city-wide "family" who need support, especially children, teens, the elderly, and the disabled.
The future for Davis is bright. We have exciting opportunities to make Davis an even stronger community. However, if we are to realize our true potential, we must also recommit to civic discourse and absolute transparency in our public work. In recent years, many Davis residents have shared their concerns with me that the robust debates that have always characterized Davis are now too often turning into shouting matches. We must not allow our passionate advocacy to be replaced by name-calling. I am actively working to change course and emphasize civility in our political discourse. We must create and support a climate of respect for all opinions and points of view if we are to successfully meet the coming challenges. And we must listen to each other. I hold weekly "office hours" at locations across Davis, with an open door to any person who has a concern or perspective to share. I am totally committed to creating a transparent, positive culture of public decision making in Davis.
Over the next four years, I will work to
1. Keep our city a safe, nurturing and friendly place to raise families, learn, study and enjoy a healthy productive life.
2. Provide our seniors with a safe, caring, and enriching environment. Specifically, I will work to: increase the number of affordable housing units set asides for senior citizens, maintain parks and recreation programs for the disabled, and support expansion of programs like adult day health care and elderly nutrition services.
3. Strengthen the Social Fabric of our Community by nurturing civil public discourse. In recent years, many of you have shared your concerns with me that the robust debates that have always characterized Davis are now too often turning into shouting matches. That passionate advocacy has sometimes been replaced by name-calling and worse. I am actively working to change course and emphasize civility in our political discourse. I hold weekly "office hours" at locations across Davis, with an open door to any person who has a concern or perspective to share.
4. Maintain and enhance partnerships with Davis Joint Unified School District, UCD and Yolo County.