Linda Gonzalez, challenging Ives to hold an elected municipal office for the first time, offers refreshing candor and boundless energy, but Ives has proved over his previous two terms as mayor that he deserves another two years on the City Council.
Yes, Ives was a member of many City Councils that relied far too heavily on residential housing development, zeroing in on single-family rooftops to the detriment of the city’s business fortunes. It’s a black mark on his long record of public service.
But folks looking for change this election cycle should note that Ives is one of the strongest supporters of the city’s recent drive to become more business friendly and set itself up to lead San Joaquin County’s next economic boom. Ives has been a solid leader during a time of economic unrest, both nationally and locally. He also brings experience to a City Council that will welcome two new members to the dais.
The next mayor will face a tough road ahead — how to build Tracy into a bastion of successful business while finding a way to bring the city’s budget into balance, whether the Measure E sales tax increase passes or not.
And we think Ives is the candidate who can best see through our vision of a stronger, more sustainable Tracy.
Glad to see Measure E pass. Protective and Emergency services are secured.
Next, hopefully he will get train through Tracy..... Transit Station is ready to welcome it!
Perhaps next on his list will be to introduce a base that will employ lot of people, those employed will pump money into the economy and house payments. But first, jobs seems to be the priority in kickstarting the economy.
Good luck everyone with new faces in Congress.
CN
I don't think economic growth is centered around retail any more than other cities.
Also, please note that the improvement of our schools is handled by the state's school districts.
And the unemployment rate in Tracy is lower than other cities because of the proximity of the Bay Area.
Just thought you'd want to know.
Even improved the quality of the debates and kicked out the congressman's crazy bussed-in signs at Monte Vista nice touch. Lot less like the crazy greenpeace meetings I attended out of high school. Never would have expected that of our congressman. Too bad.
For those voters who do not deem integrity an essential characteristic of a public leader, consider Mr. Ives’ ideas regarding economic growth in Tracy – centered on increased retail and construction of ‘executive’ housing. Who is going to purchase the goods at these new retail outlets? Will these outlets provide anything other than minimum wage jobs, that will largely be filled by people living outside of Tracy? Why would ‘executives’ want to live in Tracy? What plans do we have for improving our schools and quality of life to attract these executives? How are we going to protect the current housing stock from depreciation as more and more jobs leave the Bay area and as commuting becomes less attractive due to rising fuel prices?
I do not believe that Mr. Ives has a clue as to the fundamental changes that have occurred in the manufacturing and engineering economic base in the Bay area, or to the changes in lifestyle that will be required by increasing worldwide oil demand. Now if you bake in changing demographics as the boomers retire, we will be very lucky if Tracy doesn’t continue to decay even if the US economy as a whole improves. We need creation of jobs that produce wealth or provide essential service to growing sectors of the economy. The model that produced growth in the 1990’s and 2000’s – providing goods and housing to workers employed elsewhere – is no longer valid.
Unfortunately, I see no evidence that Ms. Gonzalez understands this either. But at least she is likely to be honest.
If a Mayor, or Councilman for that matter, is truly concerned about the community then he or she should be delivering throughout his or her time in office. This makes it unnecessary for them to scramble around at the last moment to get projects moving, break ground on a project like Gateway (which has been in the works for 10 years) or exercise his authority to give the mall a $2.75 million dollar loan.
Take Councilman Abercrombie for example, there's a guy that gives back to the community every day, regardless of the politics. He's the kind of person we need as a Mayor, unfortunately, he isn't running this time. Maybe in 2012???
Now don't get me wrong, I think Mayor Ives is a nice guy but I don't think he's as invested in Tracy as he would like you to believe. He's traveling most of the time with his consulting business, and he pops in for meetings and a public event every now and then, but only to stay for 20 - 30 minutes; unless of course it's campaign season; then he stays for 30 - 45 minutes.
Me personally, I want a Mayor who is going to be here in Tracy all the time. Someone who is in touch with the community and knows what it's like to struggle with today's challenges, not someone who chooses not to be here most of the time.
That's why I think Linda Gonzalez is the best choice for Mayor in 2010. At least she's here in Tracy and would bring a fresh perspective to the office of Mayor. That and she's not beholden to anyone except the residents of our fine community.
Vote Linda Gonzalez for Mayor on Nov. 2nd.
Vote Gonzalez for Mayor. Vote NO on E.
IVES for Mayor