My name is Arsenio "Chaz" Escudero and I am running for Martinez City Council. Here are some of my positions on several issues that effect our great city:
1. The Martinez Marina: I support the revitalization of the marina and I believe that it will open Martinez to increased commerce and to alternate transportation if we install ferry service. Some of my main solutions would be to sell bonds, hold fundraisers, create more festivals at the marina and throughout the city and taking a portion of the earnings, and by using other ideas from the community to raise funds to not only complete the dredging of the marina, but to bring the marina into the 21st century.
2. The Annexation of Alhambra Valley: I oppose it because it will put an undue tax/fee burden on the City of Martinez to provide for police services and road maintenance. According to a study by Economic and Planning Systems Inc. in 2009, Martinez would lose more money than gain from the Alhambra Valley Project, with the only exception being if Alhambra Valley begins to bring in more tax revenue from new residential development (http://martinez.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=28887&view=&showpdf=1). Because of the current state of the economy, the chances of new housing developments are almost nonexistent.
3. The Annexation of Pacheco Blvd: I also oppose this because of the undue tax burden it will create (http://pachecoannex.wordpress.com/taxes-will-increase/).
4. Revitalization of downtown businesses: I support this and will create incentives for upscale, yet, affordable restaurants, shops, music venues, etc. to come to downtown. Some of the ways I will do this is by cutting out fees to businesses, passing ordinances to lower commercial property taxes, create special revenues to pay for new business expenses, and to create an advertising campaign to invite businesses into the city.
5. Invite more foot traffic into the businesses in the city: I would support this by allow for County workers and business owners to park for free downtown and to work with businesses to allow for discounts to make County workers feel more welcomed into the businesses and to, hopefully, stay after work. County workers compose the highest percentage of the employees in the City, so we have to find ways to make them feel welcomed so they can stimulate business revenue.
6. I would hire an economic development manager that is able to bring in innovative projects into the city and to begin the implementation of plans once a cost/benefit analysis is compiled from the economic development plan that will eventually be created.
For more information about my campaign please visit: http://www.facebook.com/arsenio.escudero.7
