Letters: Slert advocates his candidacyfor Crescent City Council

It's the fall election season and I'm honored to be a candidate for Crescent City, City Council.

As a seven year resident of Crescent City and a local architect I believe I have a good working knowledge of our city, regional community and the issues.

In campaigning, you the voters have made it perfectly clear that you want dedicated, accountable, visionary leadership and representation. As your council representative I work for you for the next four years. It's a contract between you and me — to represent your concerns and interest.

It is clear based on the recent and current national economic challenges, that as a city and community we are going to be confronted with new challenges that will require tough and creative decision-making, fiscal discipline and accountability.

As a city, we need to build on our ongoing successes with experienced, proactive, visionary leadership and representation.

As a "problem-solver," I am a good listener and I value your concerns and opinions, as I work for you and the best interest of our city and its citizens. Communication is essential. I propose that the city conduct quarterly town hall meetings to specifically involve the citizens and create a meaningful ongoing dialogue. I would also propose the city initiate a monthly newsletter, (mailed and Internet-available), again to facilitate a better informed citizenry.

As your City Council representative, I will think outside the box, approach solutions relative to a bigger picture vision for our city, be a consensus builder and effective advocate for our city.

Our challenge is not about sustainability, but it's about growing our multiple "economic engines," creating opportunity for downtown redevelopment (with an identity, character and ambiance); focusing on our infrastructure development and maintenance thereof; creating new public/private partnerships that put people to work; ongoing cooperation with the Harbor District and county; proactively nurturing local recreational activities and destination tourism; and providing incentives for local developments, rehabilitation and/or re-use projects for economic development.

Additionally, we need to rethink how we conduct business by reassessing our priorities, consider sharing of government services when and where appropriate, thinking "green" as we approach the future; consider consolidation and/or annexation of the county urban core area and the possibility of community policing in the future for a safer community with officer pay parity, economies and efficiencies.

For more information visit www.slert.org or www.slert.net

Charles Slert

Crescent City