Statement by Tom Fischer: Gilroy City Council candidate

Published in the October 5 – 18, 2016 issue of Gilroy Life

By Tom Fischer

Tom Fischer

As a longtime resident with experience in public service, I am running for Gilroy City Council to represent a new, independent voice.

I have lived in Gilroy for 40 years, and my wife and I raised our two sons here. Before retirement, I worked as a plumber and later as project manager and estimator (for the same company) for 33 years. In 2011, a land-use issue near our home led me to a position on the Planning Commission, where I am currently serving. I am also a member of the Development Standards Task Force, the Gilroy General Plan Advisory Committee and the High Speed Rail Downtown Station Area Plan Committee.

I am neutral on Measure H, the Urban Growth Boundary. I believe this to be an important issue for the future and will respect the will of the people. I support more funding for road maintenance and repair. I also support a transition from at-large, to district elections.

Revitalization of the downtown continues to be an issue. Although progress is being made, with California High-speed Rail coming, it is vital that we develop a plan that is least disruptive to the citizens and businesses in the area. This should be done in conjunction with an update of the Downtown Specific Plan. Once completed, funding must be identified for implementing the public provisions such as updates to the Center for the Arts and a Community Park.

I am fiscally conservative and would like the city to maintain a balanced budget with adequate reserves. If additional funds were to become available, my priorities would be to provide more funding for street maintenance and repair, complete seismic upgrades to two fire houses and the downtown Center for the Arts, fund a community park downtown, complete the sports park, and provide additional funding for services to the homeless.

I am an independent thinker and have made no promises to any group. I support open government and transparency. I am also a believer in pragmatic, collaborative problem solving. I will encourage and welcome input from all parties, respect the opinions of others, listen to public input and make decisions based upon the information available. I will vote for what I believe is the for the citizens of Gilroy.

For more information, please visit tom4gilroy.com.