As we approach the November elections most of the focus is on the presidential race. But, there are important contests for Assembly, Congress, ballot initiatives, and City Councils also taking place that need our attention.
At our local level here in Clearlake there are three City Council seats open for election. Our city has improved dramatically during the last several years under the leadership of the present Council incumbents. We”ve seen our major roads improved, blighted buildings demolished or brought up to code, a new Police Chief hired and making improvements to his department. and perhaps most importantly, a new City Administrator who is addressing long overlooked issues of great importance to the City.
The Council authorized the Clearlake Vision Task Force enabling the people to drive the future direction of the City. Some of the recommendations of the Task Force have already been enacted and others, such as updating the General Plan, are in progress. The City Administrator has put together a solid budget undoing years of rather slipshod handling of our budget. The Council, as the Redevelopment Agency, is actively pursuing sale of long held redevelopment properties to promote Clearlake as a tourist destination and a retail center for the county.
Our city has momentum towards a continuing improving future. Our City Council has created the momentum and needs to be reelected to keep our city on a track to a brighter future. We do not need new Council members who continue to live in past grievances and just want to keep things as they were.
Albert F. Bernal
Clearlake
