District 1 Oxnard Past Missions Accomplished, Still More to Do: Why I Am Asking for Your Vote One More Time

When I took office as your Councilmember in 2013, Oxnard was on the edge of bankruptcy. I remember those early budget meetings, looking at numbers that told us something had to change. Thirteen years later, I am proud to say the numbers tell a different story, and I am asking for one final term to finish the work we started together.

A Record of Integrity and Transparency

 

Oxnard has posted a budget surplus for three consecutive years, and Standard and Poor's has upgraded our city's bond rating 11 times leading to multiple credit rate increases for our city over the last five years. That kind of recognition does not happen by accident. It comes from a City Council record built on open government, real city budget transparency, and public meetings where residents can see exactly how their money is spent. Integrity and transparency aren’t buzzwords; they are the standard I have held myself to since day one, and the foundation of accountability in District One. That fiscal turnaround is also why we have been able to reinvest in the services, infrastructure and amenities residents use every day. 

Showing Up for Oxnard 

Being a good steward of the city's finances is only a part of the job. Another part is showing up for the people who live here, and the past decade has been about real, on-the-ground progress across Oxnard. 

That progress has meant investing in the next generation of EMTs, because fast, well-trained emergency response saves lives. It has also meant new police drones that help officers respond faster and stay safer on the job.  

Housing and infrastructure are also priorities and continue to move forward. The development of the Casa de Carmen Shelter has helped reduce homelessness by 15 percent for two years running.  Funding to finish the Santa Clara River levee is secured, and streets and parks across our neighborhoods keep getting upgraded. The cost of the Harbor seawall repairs is now shared more equitably - with the abandoned boats blighting our waterfront finally coming down. 

A strong city also needs a strong economy. Connecting residents with jobs by partnering local businesses with our schools matters, and so does protecting small businesses from illegal sidewalk vending. Modernizing our libraries has also been part of that same commitment, so every resident can find what they need, when they need it.

There is much more to each of these than fits in one Blog – I’ll be sharing the full story behind each one by one in the weeks ahead.

Building a Strong Community 

My community involvement does not end at City Hall. I remain committed to Oxnard community engagement through council committee meetings where residents can voice their concerns directly, continued partnership with our neighborhood association, and Oxnard community events in District One that bring residents together. A strong community in Oxnard starts with a councilmember who shows up, listens, and follows through.

I have spent over a decade learning this city's budget, infrastructure and people. That knowledge and experience matter as we close out the projects that will shape Oxnard's future for years to come. More work lies ahead, and I am asking for the chance to see it through. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, and I hope to earn it one more time.