District 3 Voter Questions & Answers

1. Spiritual and family deterioration, especially absentee fathers. 2. Public safety, including crime and vagrancy. 3. Fiscal mismanagement by the city, leading to residents currently paying 20% to 30% more for electricity than they have to, the highest sales tax in the state, and other ways the city is spending money unwisely and taxing families unnecessarily.

The California cities of Menifee and Citrus Heights both started their own police departments, ending their reliance on their respective county run Sheriff's Departments. Both cities are significantly safer and saved money doing so. I believe Palmdale can do this, creating a situation where we have more officers, more patrol hours, and a more effective police force than the county is currently providing. The deputies do a good job, and I am incredibly thankful for them. But they have to cover much more county land than just Palmdale. A police force would make Palmdale the sole focus, and we would be able to direct them with local authority instead of through the county. I want to seriously look into this option.

The city spends exorbitant amounts of money unwisely. One of my main goals would be to rein in unnecessary public spending and then use funds that we don't spend on unnecessary and ineffective programs to put back into beautifying our city, fixing our roads and infrastructure. Part of this would probably involve doing some studies on efficiency and bringing in consultants to fix how inefficient our departments currently are. That way they can use their current funding much more efficiently and we could also potentially bring in solid contractors to help fix these issues for less than what we're currently paying now.

The city should have a streamlined process for permit approvals and should deregulate as much as possible, making it easier for builders and developers who choose to build in Palmdale. Generally, I believe it's more of a job for the free market to decide if there's too much development or not enough in an area. If something gets extreme, the government can try to encourage or discourage things, but generally the free market is going to do a much better job.

I would refer to my answer to your first question. Additionally, I would ensure that all the panhandling, squatting, public decency, etc., laws on the books are currently being enforced. I want Palmdale to be a place that is undesirable to vagrants and criminals while being friendly to good people who are genuinely in a hard spot and in need. Ideally, meeting those needs should come from charitable entities such as churches. Generally, I'm not in favor of the city spending money on anything other than protecting the people's rights of life, liberty and private property. The rest should be primarily handled by citizens, charitable organizations and other private entities.

The city's current policy on spending is absolutely out of control. Nearly everywhere I look, there is spending going on in a way that I think is excessive, unnecessary and in ways I would not condone. There are too many things to list, but a couple that come to mind are: the $31 million they just approved to renovate the Chimbole Center. From my understanding, they received several million in insurance money after the fire, which would have more than paid for bringing it back to pristine condition, but somehow they got the bright idea to spend around $25 million more in tax money to make some unesecary super cultural center. I also would not have given $10 million to Lancaster for their Rec. Center; that should have gone to bettering Palmdale, not Lancaster. Things like that—I could honestly go on and on. I think, in most areas, the city could spend less money and actually do more. So there's not much I would currently advocate spending more tax dollars on, other than possibly public safety.

I live in that area, and I know that it is generally a lower-income bracket. Many people there are on the CARE program for electricity. Currently, most people on the CARE program are paying 30% more for electricity than they have to because the City Council enrolled nearly all residents in a City Council-controlled power program that is now costing them significantly more than if they opted out and went to SCE. I will get the word out so they can start saving over $500 a year. People not on the CARE program are also spending more, by about 20%, so most can benefit from opting out of this terrible program. General infrastructure improvements to include roads, trees, etc., are on my list of things to fix as well by spending less money and being more efficient. Lastly, reducing crime and vagrancy through the means I previously mentioned.

Below are three goals, not commitments. It would be unwise to commit to achieving these goals in the first year, though I plan to work hard towards that. They could take longer or another more important issue could arise that takes precedence.

1. Significantly reduce spending and make the budget significantly smaller by cutting unnecessary programs. Track by measuring spending and efficiency.

2. Have law enforcement more effectively enforce the laws already on the books to reduce crime and vagrancy, make new ordinances to address both, as well as pursue starting our own Police Department. Track by watching crime metrics and how far along we are with making our own department.

3. Work with local churches and faith-based groups to address the spiritual deterioration, family dysfunction and the homeless population's issues. Track by watching societal metrics and crime levels.

I've given goals, not promises or commitments. If I make a promise or commitment, I must do my absolute best to keep my word no matter what. That is a matter of honoring my conscience and my God. I don't make commitments easially or flippantly. When I give my word, its very serious to me. On the other hand, goals are a direction I plan to move towards with a desire to make happen. They allow room for change if needed. I can state that I will put my effort in that direction until it is accomplished or I realize it is unwise to continue in that direction. As this would be my first time on the Council, I will leave room for adjustments and learning on the job.

What I can commit to is doing my best to bring my values to the Council and only voting for and supporting efforts that are in the best interest of Palmdale residents. I also commit to fighting against things I believe are harmful to Palmdale. I won't agree to providing an anual report right now, though I'm open to the idea. I would want to make sure it's not redundant though. How do you see an annual report getting to District 3 residents? Every resident? By mail? Who would be paying for this? Every resident of Palmdale can gain access to the information you are looking for currently. Public access to all the meetings and votes are on the City YouTube channel. I highly encourage everyone to show up to the meetings, or at the very least watch them online, so they have an understanding of how City leadership is making decisions and what those decisions are.

I'm running because I'm a follower of Jesus. I pray about most of what I do. After significant prayer, I felt it was my duty to help Palmdale residents stop being taken advantage of by their government. I believe it is my responsibility to step up and help to stop the irresponsible decisions being made at the City Council and City Staff level in my hometown. I don't desire attention, fame or glory. I simply desire to correct the terrible direction we are being led and make this city a place where the kingdom of God can spread; where freedom, health and prosperity can take root. I have a past filled with service and leadership, which I believe are two sides of the same coin if you understand them properly. I served 6 years in the Marine Corps with various overseas combat deployments. I then served as a diplomatic protection specialist overseas for a couple more years. For the last few years I've been instructing at a local college as well as teaching several middle and high school level classes for charter schools (History, Archery and PE). I also work in a technical field doing land surveying work for a local business. We do a lot of work in Palmdale, specifically on the local infrastructure. Through these experiences I've been taught many things: servant leadership, wisdom, humility, logistics, finances, adaptability, the impact a godly man can have on kids who don't have a good masculine example in their life, and how to balance compassion and a backbone with difficult people and difficult situations. Above all, I think I've learned that I'm not as capable as I think I am on my own. I need the wisdom of God and others in my life. Usually, with any significant problem or decision, I seek others' advice and bounce ideas off of them. More importantly, I recognize that I am dependent

on God for guidance, direction, peace and help to come to the right conclusion and do the right thing for the situation. I've learned there are too many variables for me to take into account, that every person is different and most situations requirel a tailored approach that only God (many times working through other people) can give me the wisdom to navigate.

I believe learning these principles and having these humbling experiences directly correlates to my ability to lead Palmdale well.