Opening Statement:
Dear Fellow Irvine residents,
I am running for City Council in order to give back to my community, and to keep Irvine the safe, smart, and green city it has become.
My education and experience have prepared me to serve as your City Council member.
I earned my Master’s degree in Public Administration from CSULB. My education and experience working for the city of La Habra at the City Manager’s Office, in the Community Development and Community Services departments have affirmed my interests in serving local government and in policymaking.
As your representative, I will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the City Council.
I will work toward collaboration in all areas, and want to build strong partnerships with our schools, non-profit organizations and businesses.
I am dedicated to meeting the needs of our growing multicultural community. I want to preserve what is great about Irvine while helping to foster the strong community values we cherish such as family, education, safety, and environment.
As a City Council member, I will support plans and projects that maintain “smart growth” for the city. I pledge to support programs that use our tax dollars wisely to provide the services and programs that make Irvine a great place to live. I will ensure that our city continually seeks ways to improve efficiency while planning for the future and exercising fiscal restraint.
It’s time to have a new voice on the City Council. For weeks, I have been listening to our residents, and I have realized that our residents are looking for someone with a fresh perspective, with enthusiasm and passion for this city. I am that candidate.
TOP ISSUES
Education:
As a father, I understand the importance of a strong education. Our children deserve smaller class sizes and quality teachers. Moreover, we must also increase our after-school programs. Public television programming should be utilized more effectively to ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom.
I pledge to support our public schools. Days have been slashed from the academic calendar due to budget cuts. In such a family-oriented city with such a strong public school system, I find this unacceptable.
I am supporting Irvine’s public schools, and will say Yes on “Measure R”.
I will support plans to make UCI a vital part of the larger Irvine community. I will support opportunities to bring Irvine businesses and our University together.
Public Transportation – iShuttle:
I am a supporter of public transportation. I envision a citywide transportation system that would connect main streets, Irvine Business districts, residential neighborhoods, the Great Park, UCI, and the Irvine Spectrum.
However, iShuttle’s current structure does not coincide with our residents’ needs, evident by the iShuttle’s low ridership. At this time, it is a taxpayer-subsidized service for few nonresidents. It is ineffective at a time when the city is facing budget deficits. We have to stop wasting money and restructure this service.
OC Great Park:
I will work hard to turn the Great Park into a reality.
OC Great Park has made “Too Little, Too Late” progress. Many of its planned projects are running at least two to three years behind expectations.
In order to prevent this project from failing, we need to have a working vision for the upcoming developments. I envision a unique structure which will make OC Great Park a spectacular spot for tourists as well as families and kids of all ages.
At this point, I will propose a further study on having the Statue of Responsibility in the Orange County Great Park. The Statue of Responsibility will be a visible representation and call to responsibility. Situated on the west coast, the statue will be the counterpart of the Statue of Liberty in New York.
The final decision as to where exactly the monument will be erected has not yet been made.
The Statue of Responsibility Foundation can be reached at http://www.sorfoundation.org/
Environment:
We must continue to aggressively retrofit all city-owned property with energy-efficient lighting and equipment. Improving air quality, providing more open green space for our residents, and reducing our carbon footprint are no longer conceptual, long-term goals; we can make them happen today!
Small Businesses:
I am a small business owner. I built and run a brokerage and property management company. I truly understand the role that small businesses play in the economic recovery process. We should do everything to promote, attract, and support business growth in Irvine.
I will work hard to make Irvine a business-friendly place so that we can attract more businesses. This will bring more employment opportunities for Irvine residents, more revenues for the city, higher real estate values, and a better life for all.
Public Employee Pensions:
Public employee pensions are an important vehicle for public employees to receive retirement benefits. However, public pensions must be designed in a way that is fair and equitable to the public agency.
Cell-Phone Towers and Communities:
Cell phone tower issue is dividing our community around the city, often pitting neighbor against neighbor. At the same time, officials are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to sitting cellular-phone towers. Of course, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 makes things more complicated for city officials.
According to some researches, there are numerous dangers of cell phone towers, particularly for people who live in close proximity to a cell phone tower and are continuously exposed to harmful cellular radiations. On the other hand, radiation is a natural part of the universe. I’m not an expert, I don’t know if they are harmful, or if they’re more harmful than the ordinary microwave that we all use every day.
I don’t believe the visual impact has a big negative effect on the neighborhood I’ve seen them where they’ve fixed them up nicely.
With today’s technology, many people love wireless convenience. I am one of them. It is clear that we need cell phone towers – we simply wouldn’t be able to get a signal otherwise. Cell phone towers are something which none of us can do without these days. It is essential that we do everything we can to maintain the high level of service and support that our city staff currently provides our citizens.
When I am elected as one of your City Council members, I will support plans and projects to allow cell phone towers in the city.
However, zoning officials must be encouraged to keep installations away from people as much as possible.
Eminent domain:
Yes, I do support the use of eminent domain. However, it must be limited for public use with compensation. It should not be used for the purpose of advancing the economic interest of private parties.
Closing Statement:
If you are looking for someone with a fresh and independent perspective, a new voice with enthusiasm and passion for this city. I am that candidate.
I understand the needs of a multicultural community, families, and businesses.
I will always remember that I represent YOU. Your voice and opinions are of the utmost importance to City Council and to me. I will work for greater transparency and greater access to city government.
My top priorities are to give people more access to city government, work to alleviate traffic congestion, build strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and local schools; keep taxes low, and help small businesses.
It is time for our community to welcome a new generation leader. I am YUNUS AKSOY. I ask for your vote and pledge to provide the integrity and leadership our community deserves.
