Business Voter Guide

Transcription

1 Business Voter Guide City of San Juan Capistrano City Council Candidates November 2nd, 2010 General Election Our Mission is Your Success!!

2 COMING IN 2011 PLAZA BANDERAS HOTEL SHOPS RESTAURANT ORTEGA HIGHWAY AT EL CAMINO REAL A DEVELOPMENT BY STROSCHER G3, LLC ADVERTISEMENT

3 Thank you for taking the me to review the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce s Business Voter Guide. We created this booklet to help the voters of San Juan make more informed decisions in the upcoming elec on for our representa ves on the City Council. In such challenging economic mes, it is impera ve that we have elected officials who are dedicated to helping local businesses succeed. Far more important than what can be included in a short guide such as this one, we strongly encourage Chamber members and others who care about the local economy to reach out to the candidates and ask the ques ons that are important to your business future success. The Chamber would like to thank the following, who all contributed to the success of our September 29th Candidates Recep on: Hummingbird House Cafe Jay s Catering Ricardo s Place Sarducci s Capistrano Depot Serra Plaza Finally, on behalf of the Chamber I congratulate and commend each of the Candidates. These nine individuals have made an extremely noble decision to offer their me and energy to making this great community a be er place. We sincerely appreciate their contribu ons to this publica on, our organiza on and the City of San Juan Capistrano. Mark Bodenhamer Execu ve Director, San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce

4 Please Vote on November 2nd! Find informa on on registering to vote, ge ng a Vote by Mail Ballot or loca ng your polling place by visi ng the Orange County Registrar of Voters Elec on website: Addi onal important elec on informa on can be found through the CA Secretary of State s website: ons The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce edited many of the following responses in order to ensure uniform forma ng and space allo ed to each candidate. Edi ng was carefully considered and every effort was made to ensure that the meaning and spirit of each candidates full answer was conveyed in this publica on. Full, unedited versions of each candidates responses are available through the Chamber office for any interested party. The Candidates appear in this guide in the opposite order they will appear in the official Voter Guide and on Ballots. Each year, the Secretary of State randomly chooses a new order for the le ers of the alphabet, in order to negate an ar ficial /unfair advantage for candidates whose names would put them atop such lis ngs in standard A Z formats.

5 ADVERTISEMENT

6 Dr. Lon Uso What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? 4 years on the Council. Operated my own business for over 30 years. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: Balancing the financial with the cultural needs of the City is essential, strong industry, retail sales, hotel TOT, etc. A partnership between the City, the Redevelopment agency and private enterprise to reach mutual goals is the winning combination. All of this being guided by a long term plan of implementation. I bring this formula to the table. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I believe that if the soul of a city is its culture, its heart is commerce. Without a vital economic engine you have no jobs for your residents and no revenue for the City. Without economic development, the heart, the City will ultimately die.

7 Dr. Lon Uso Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: This hotel is the keystone to the redevelopment of our downtown. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Essen al to the survival of our merchants. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Long term loser, poten al benefits will end, City con nues providing services. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: Well balanced w/ small, high end homes, equestrian & mixed use w/ great retail. San Juan Colleges: Another private school. Enough is enough. Costco Expansion: Economic Development with increased revenue and cheap gas in San Juan. Home Depot on Stone Hill: Up to $1m in SJC revenue. Balances our revenue por olio. Much improved design. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Premier company that will encourage other business to come. Façade Improvement Grants: A Band Aid over a bullet wound that dilutes much needed redevelopment funds.

8 Councilman Mark Nielsen What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? I've served on the SJC City Council 4 years, was Mayor in 2009, and Chairman of Redevelopment Agency for 2 years. In that time we achieved a AAA bond rating with balanced budgets. I bring strong financial and business knowledge having 25+ years experience as a software CEO and successfully doing turnarounds of troubled companies. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: We need to diversify our revenue base with development that enhances our community, create a pedestrian -oriented downtown with enough critical mass and mix of retail and hotel space to attract regional shoppers and residents, and promote the unique brand of SJC as an "oasis" in South OC. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? My actions these past 4 years show strong support for our businesses by providing Redevelopment Agency financial support for re-opening our movie theater, rebuilding/expanding the Vaquero West building for retail and opening car dealerships; increasing parking downtown while removing the onerous parking requirements on individual businesses and supporting our Chamber.

9 Councilman Mark Nielsen Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Architecture must be stellar as this will be a showplace for City. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: S ll needs a lot of input and review of details by the full Council. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Will bring millions to City and open space versus no money from non profit use. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: Mixed use far be er than currently approved 440 residences. Needs adjustment. San Juan Colleges: Not appropriate for so much development in the middle of our NW open space. Costco Expansion: City s #1 sales tax generator needs to be locked in long term. Home Depot on Stone Hill: Need to see plans and make sure issues are mi gated. Big ongoing tax $ for City. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Support In & Out anywhere but there. Would be traffic nightmare for $25k/year. Façade Improvement Grants: Should be increased to promote City s Downtown Master Plan vision.

10 Victor Jim Schneider sjccitycouncil.com sjccitycouncil.com What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? My background provides me with unique qualifications to sit on Council. We need a person who can analyze the data for themselves, not just rely on the City Manager s opinion. I teach classes at Saddleback College, have a M.S. Geology degree, served in the U.S.M.C., Commercial Diver, business owner, with a well versed background. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: City Council needs to work together with our planning department, developers, businesses, and residents to create a thriving downtown center where visitors want to come, relax, eat dinner, and spend money. Our plan for the downtown redevelopment needs bigger vision. The key to success is to utilize existing resources within our town. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I am pro-small business. I worked for myself for many years and understand the dedication and tenacity it takes to meet client expectations and budget restrictions. Expansion of small businesses and marketing of SJC will be crucial over the next five to ten years.

11 Victor Jim Schneider Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Needed in Downtown. I d like to see more Green tech & use exis ng resources. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Enlarge plan & expand the downtown area to include a vehicle free greenbelt. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): I support the overall project, I can t support the double tracking that will follow. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: San Juan Colleges: Haven t formulated an opinion yet, but I am open to dialogue regarding this issue. Costco Expansion: Good for our City and the residents. Home Depot on Stone Hill: Wrong loca on. People want another loca on, if be er one is found I d support. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Wrong loca on & poor planning. Might be a good op on elsewhere. Façade Improvement Grants: Helping businesses improve facades is important & consistent w/ SJC tradi ons.

12 Jess Lopez, Re red Police Sergeant What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? I have practiced Public Safety in Orange County for over 27 years, while completing 20 years of service in the Military Reserves. MS degree Soc Sci CSU, Fullerton and BS Degree USC, FBI National Academy Grad and presently serving on the SJC Housing Advisory Committee. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: Put Business owners suggestions and concerns back into Councils decision making. Fill existing vacant commercial property and empty Auto dealer ships, incentives for all businesses big and small, loyal established and new. Attract a Big retail and Auto dealership. Our Only Way to improving local economy is retail. We cannot develop or construct our way to prosperity. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? The proposed LOPEZ PLAN is a how to bring politics and economics together in a distress market. A sign of stress is a City selling not what they want to sell. But a City selling what it can sell i.e. Open Space for development. The Plan is simple 1.Keep present business in business 2. Relax rules allowing businesses to advertise i.e. signs, banners, shakers 3. Promote a once a month late business sales night 4. An every 2 year One month of business Tax and rent relief.

13 Jess Lopez, Re red Police Sergeant Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Let s get parking se led. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Needs to preserve village like historic ambience. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Railroad Crossing is an issue. Money would go to Downtown Redvelopment. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: High density, traffic. 700 out of town horse owners? San Juan Colleges: Great to add educa onal ins tu on in San Juan as we grow. Costco Expansion: Add on gas sta on. Home Depot on Stone Hill: Field of Dreams: Build it and they will come. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Bring people to the City. Façade Improvement Grants: KFC, Big Lots look good.

14 For more informa on about the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, including upcoming events, our Mission and how you can get involved please contact us via phone, or web:

15

16 Larry Kramer What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? I have leadership skills honed in the military and in business. I am active in most everything that impacts our way of life in San Juan including: Transportation commission; CERT; Open Space Committee and Open Space Foundation and Downtown Master Plan Steering committee and originator of the Ridge Trail Events. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: The city, while preserving its unique, small town, rural feeling must become more consistent in welcoming appropriate businesses to town. The process of approving sound projects must be streamlined and structured fairly for all concerned. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I have a strong desire to participate actively in determining the future of our city. I am interested in downtown revitalization and sound financial responsibility. I will examine carefully each proposal that comes before the City Council to assess its impact on businesses in San Juan Capistrano.

17 Larry Kramer Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: City needs a quality hotel downtown. There are concerns about its design. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Ambi ous plan. What can be implemented/encouraged by city soon? Funding? CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): CLC has great reputa on. Addi on of open space accessible to residents is good. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: Number of stalls excessive. Offices not needed. Traffic mi ga on necessary. San Juan Colleges: Religious en ty taking land off books. Open SpaceCreek/Crossing are concerns. Costco Expansion: About me. Mobile home residents have wall to reduce noise/visual impact. Home Depot on Stone Hill: Great idea. Design so that it has minimal impact on nearby residents. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Tremendous reputa on. Depends on loca on and traffic impact studies. Façade Improvement Grants: Like improvements to date. Concerned re: paying for changes owners would fund.

18 Clint Worthington What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? I was a volunteer for over 21 years serving our City as a Reserve Firefighter. I was in banking for 27 years and a World Record Holding cyclist. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: Increasing sales tax revenue and making SJC more of a destination to tourists than it currently is. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I have been a resident of SJC for over 25 years and I am supportive of what it takes to increase merchant sales in our City.

19 Clint Worthington Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Downtown Redevelopment Plan: CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: San Juan Colleges: Costco Expansion: Home Depot on Stone Hill: In & Out / Sizzler Site: Façade Improvement Grants:

20 John Taylor What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? I have run a successful business for 25 years commercial property management firm. We developed and managed a $60 million dollar property for 25 years. In addition, I have been active in my community as an AYSO coach and Little League President. I have served on the Los Rios Review Committee (the Los Rios District where my family has lived for over 20 years is in the Historical District of SJC). I enrolled in the North Orange County Leadership Institute through Cal State Fullerton to make sure that I had an understanding of how civic government works. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: Downtown revitalization is a part of that. Attract businesses (big box stores, car dealerships) to our city, increase tax revenue and provide jobs. The most important key is to be interested. I think over the years San Juan Capistrano has become known as a no development city. We have to reach out to national companies and let them know that we are business friendly and we want them in our town and we want them to succeed. This will bring jobs for our citizens and keep our tax dollars in our town. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I am a businessman. I understand how government works and how government gets in the way. I have a deep commitment to helping my community be a business friendly city.

21 John Taylor Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Finding ways to a ract business/tourists/residents downtown improves economy. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Much needed document. Need long term plan to make Downtown a des na on. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Lower impact use of the site. Keeps Open Space. Provides jobs and tax revenue. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: Project greatly scaled down. Hope for Trader Joes/Whole Foods. Balanced project. San Juan Colleges: Don t know enough about the project to make a decision at this me. Costco Expansion: Very popular w/ residents. The expansion and discounted gas is needed in SJC. Home Depot on Stone Hill: We must mi gate noise, but great for community. Jobs and tax revenue for City. In & Out / Sizzler Site: Site is large enough to handle cars & outdoor dining. Good jobs and good food! Façade Improvement Grants: Façade improvements are important to keep SJC looking its best at all mes.

22 Jim Reardon What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? As a resident for 28 years, I am familiar with the unique qualities of our community. As a CEO and corporate board member for more than 25 years and volunteer, I understand what it takes to make an organization like our City function. I have no personal financial interests in this community except my home. I can read a financial statement and recognize a budget. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: San Juan Capistrano should be a place to live, work and play. Our City is not an amusement park intended to fund our government. Our economy is improved by preserving our City as an attractive place for families to live, raise their children, and retire. This requires a focus on public safety, jobs, education, and traffic. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I believe that we should focus our economic development efforts on attracting large payroll employers (biotech, colleges, and government). The money such employers will bring to our community will support our retail and service development.

23 Jim Reardon Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: Great plan, long overdue. Sadly, city reduced size so it wont a ract conven ons. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: Plan ignores other areas that drive economy. Can t be financed due to economy. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Nice project. I oppose City $ being used for it., the 2X RR crossing & CLC op on. Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: Planning Comm. rejected it. City compromised itself w/ involvement in project. San Juan Colleges: This will bring a large & stable payroll to town. Should be embraced and nurtured. Costco Expansion: I shop at Costco once a week. Lower priced gasoline would be most welcomed. Home Depot on Stone Hill: HD should be considered here. City should divest itself from this property ASAP. In & Out / Sizzler Site: City was wrong to deny In & Out, as it was private property zoned for this use. Façade Improvement Grants: If this money wasn t offered, no self respec ng property owner would ask for it.

24 Derek Reeve h p://site.derekreeve.us/ What are your qualifica ons for serving on the San Juan City Council? As a former Transportation Commissioner and attorney, I have a working knowledge of how government does and does not work. I mean what I say and say what I mean. I am a stubbornly principled conservative. As a constitutional attorney and historian I pledge my sacred honor to abide by our constitution and founding principles. What are the keys to improving San Juan Capistrano s Local Economy: A sound SJC economy requires sound fiscal responsibility of our local government. I will mind the public purse and vote to cut non-essential city expenditures. I will listen to business owners on how to revitalize our local economy. I will not support further regulations of private business operations, nor vote for new taxes or fees. Why should a business owner/manager support your candidacy? I am a business owner myself. I will not support further regulations or city interference of private business operations. I will not vote for new taxes or fees. I will also respect private property rights, including to never vote for eminent domain.

25 Derek Reeve Without commi ng to a formal pledge, do you generally like or dislike pending plans for the following. Please note any brief comments: Plaza Banderas Hotel: I like it, however I m wai ng for the final plan. Downtown Redevelopment Plan: It will lead to viola on of private property rights. CLC Senior Community (Rancho Capistrano): Distrito La Novia / The Meadows: San Juan Colleges: Costco Expansion: Like at Ford dealership next to the warehouse supermarket on Doheny Park Road. Home Depot on Stone Hill: In & Out / Sizzler Site: Façade Improvement Grants: Like if grants are not matching.

26 Second Saturday Art Fair San Juan Capistrano Second Saturday Every Month (March Dec) DON'T MISS THE NEXT FAIR! October 9th, AM 5 PM Historic Downtown San Juan Capistrano Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo & Los Rios Streets Remaining 2010 Show Dates: Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11 We're off Jan and Feb and will return with the swallows, March 2011 Dec 2011 Brought to you by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce (949) ADVERTISEMENT

27 ADVERTISEMENT

28