11/03/2014
***A MESSAGE TO MY FRIENDS BEFORE ELECTION DAY***
Tuesday, November 4th, is a day that will change the direction of our city. It’s your day to vote! You have the ability to put your faith in new leadership, new direction and momentum that will take us where we should have already been.
I have spoken to literally thousands of residents over the past few months, and each one has concerns and ideas that seem to go hand in hand with their personal experiences. There is one common thread with all, and that is the survivability of our city as we see it now. This has been echoed by new residents, long-time residents, and everyone in between. It is a vested interest that I share along with everyone I have spoken to.
I want to re-cap some of my positions that I have shared personally with citizens, here on Facebook, as well during the candidate forum On October 6. (The link to the forum can be found on both of my pages) I believe my views are rooted in family values, the same values you would find in yourself. Our community is vested when we share similar beliefs which benefit our families, our schools, business development and the ability to pay for resources that guarantee all of the above.
1. Public safety involves more than just police and fire service. It involves making our streets safe and repaired, aggressively identifying our water and sewer systems for potential failure, and systematically correcting those inefficiencies. Public safety includes our parks, and ensuring they are maintained for our children and families to enjoy. Public safety allows our more than 11,000 students the chance to learn without negative distractions, and the ability to safely travel to and from school every day.
2. Drugs and our community. During the candidate forum, a question was asked about ma*****na dispensaries. My position is twofold. I do not oppose the use of medical ma*****na for people who are dealing with cancer or other significant medical conditions, and are backed by a licensed physician. I am not judge and jury for a person who can benefit from such use.
The Federal Government has not taken a national stance on the legality of ma*****na. States have passed their own interpretations of law, but the implementation has created its own issues. I, along with other members of the Council, have to work within our sphere of enforcement at the City level, as well as the laws that are governed upon us at the State level. Our ordinances are written to ban any such dispensaries within the jurisdiction of our city. The impact these dispensaries have on our citizens, but more important our children, are far reaching and would bring on a new set of issues our City is not prepared for. Again, patients have a right to use it appropriately, but I don't support a local store where it can be picked up freely and without true medical need.
3. Privatization of water is a dead issue. It doesn't root out our core issue which is poor management of our city's money. The end result of water privatization would be huge water rate increases and frivolous spending. Take a look at Rialto and see what our rates would be like.
During the candidate forum, I expressed my opinion that water privatization would NOT be a fit for our city. In closing and running out of time, I inadvertently said, "I don't oppose it" rather than "I don't APPROVE it". Unfortunate slip of the tongue, but I stand by my decision to NOT support any form of privatizing water, our city’s biggest asset.
4. I am a huge supporter of implementing business-minded ideas to attract and anchor companies to our city. This will generate long-term benefits such as a tax base, employment opportunities for our residents, and send a message that Upland is open for business. We can't afford not to provide incentives to prospective clients. What we may lose in fees initially is a short term loss, but what we gain is a long term business relationship.
We need to get serious about a master plan, and how we are going to invest in what little land we have left. Our downtown is less than adequate and has no plan for development or the ability to attract investors. The cycle of sideline politics is over. With direction, motivation, and the willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone, we can make our city business-friendly and prosperous, and our downtown second to none in the Inland Empire.
This is not a complete list of my concerns, just a few of the more important issues echoed by many I have spoken to. If you have not viewed the candidate forum, I strongly recommend you watch it prior to voting. Also please read my campaign statement/immediate action plan, as well as my personal bio for a complete picture of who I am and my plans for the city of Upland. All of this can be found on my pages. (Links below)
Many people I have spoken to have also inquired about my platform. I do not particularly like the term because my scope of ideas couldn’t possibly be surmised into a sentence or two. So if I had to declare a platform, it would be this: I am an independent thinker, but at the same time I am able to work as a cohesive unit with my peers. I will work together, not against. I will listen to all sides of a matter and base my vote on facts, not emotion, as well as what’s best for my City and all of the citizens who resided within it.
I will never make a promise that I can't deliver on, and the words "no" and “can’t” are not a part of my vocabulary. I have learned in my career that for every obstacle, there are countless solutions. Success is being able to identify them, discuss them and implement them, in a timely and efficient manner.
We live with a local government that has a budget stranglehold on it, and we as residents are the victims. The solution to that is to work smarter with less, put the customer (you) first, and not be afraid to step away from the dias to exchange thoughts and concerns with the citizens. Before all of the meet and greets I’ve held during my campaign, I had no idea what questions were going to be thrown at me. But I feel that I was able to speak from the heart, with knowledge and sincerity which is all people truly ask for.
I encourage all of you to vote on November 4, as you are the voice of our City. I can assure you that I will be fair, passionate, and engaged with our citizens. After all, I have been one for thirty years.
Bill Schuessler
www.Facebook.com/BillForUplandCityCouncil2014
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RIGHT PERSON - RIGHT IDEAS - RIGHT TIME
