Our $70 million golf course won a Golden Fleece Award
from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association as an
example of wasteful and excessive government
spending.
from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association as an
example of wasteful and excessive government
spending.
Carlsbad Village, the soul of Carlsbad, has been ignored
by the city, resulting in vacant storefronts such as this.
by the city, resulting in vacant storefronts such as this.
Sustainability. That's what this election is all about. How can we make
sure Carlsbad remains as vibrant as it is now 30 years into the future? Here are
some of the key issues facing our city, and where I stand:
sure Carlsbad remains as vibrant as it is now 30 years into the future? Here are
some of the key issues facing our city, and where I stand:
Fiscal Responsibility
It may sound incongruous, given Carlsbad's success, but
the No. 1 issue facing our city is its finances. In the past
Carlsbad has been insulated from having to make tough
choices thanks to strong development and a vibrant
local economy. We won't have that luxury in the future.
Now is the time to begin laying the financial framework
to ensure Carlsbad can meet the real needs of its
citizens in coming years, lest we end up like the city of
San Diego.
It may sound incongruous, given Carlsbad's success, but
the No. 1 issue facing our city is its finances. In the past
Carlsbad has been insulated from having to make tough
choices thanks to strong development and a vibrant
local economy. We won't have that luxury in the future.
Now is the time to begin laying the financial framework
to ensure Carlsbad can meet the real needs of its
citizens in coming years, lest we end up like the city of
San Diego.
- No more wasteful spending, such as the golf
course and the Farmers Insurance Building. - Fair and balanced approach to developers and
public unions. - Focus on replenishing the city's financial
reserves, which once stood in excess of $100
million and are now nearly depleted.
Carlsbad Village Redevelopment
There has been too much talk and not enough action
regarding the economic development of one of the
city's key assets, Carlsbad Village. Let's do something!
The problem is not one of planning and standards; we
have plenty of those. What Carlsbad is lacking is the
political will to implement. That needs to change. The
Village should be THE major draw in North County for
both locals and tourists, but the hodge-podge mix we
have today does not provide the critical mass to
achieve this. Only a concerted effort backed by
residents, business, and city government will
accomplish this goal.
>>Continued
There has been too much talk and not enough action
regarding the economic development of one of the
city's key assets, Carlsbad Village. Let's do something!
The problem is not one of planning and standards; we
have plenty of those. What Carlsbad is lacking is the
political will to implement. That needs to change. The
Village should be THE major draw in North County for
both locals and tourists, but the hodge-podge mix we
have today does not provide the critical mass to
achieve this. Only a concerted effort backed by
residents, business, and city government will
accomplish this goal.
- Incentivize the right mix of business --more
restaurants, less auto shops. Work respectfully
with the businesses involved to achieve a "win-
win" solution. - Encourage mixed-use development -- it works!
>>Continued
| © 2008 Thomas K. Arnold. All Rights Reserved. Paid for by Thomas K. Arnold for Carlsbad City Council. |
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