Candidate Viewpoint with Susan Harvey

Editor's Note: Please note this is not an endorsement by the Patch for this or any candidate. We are giving the same questions and opportunity to all candidates so that they may express their thoughts to our readers in an attempt to get to know them better and what they think is important.*

Susan Harvey's background includes 30 years of management experience with a major local employer. She currently is the Mayor of the City of Cotati and has been on the City Council since 2009. In addition to her work on the City Council she has served on the Planning Commission and volunteered for events such as the Accordion Festival, the Jazz Festival, and Oktoberfest.

Why are you running?

I really have enjoyed working for our community. I spent 34 years in the corporate world with most of it as a manager and I found that I really enjoy working with people, which this job allows me to do. I love the city and I enjoy working with the people in the city because they are so nice.

This is something that gives me a purpose and it feels fantastic to give back to the community. My husband and I have lived here for 34 years and raised our 3 kids here. This is the community I know and if the people who live here want me to, I would be glad to continue in this role.

What do you want to accomplish?

We really have to continue to keep a balanced budget. Also we need to look at economic development. A focus on the economic development needs to be a streamlining of the process to become more business friendly. The city recently hired an assistant city manager (Micah Hinkle) whose primary job is to focus on economic development.

We also need to look at different ways of dealing with the loss of redevelopment funds. I have faith that we will be able to fund projects but we will need to find different means and ways to get the funding.

Are there any issues critical to you?

We need to fill the empty stores in town. Then we need to start work on getting the Northern Gateway development moving for the city. Also I would like to see new recreational opportunities. We had to cut back the budget of that department previously. Recreation for our seniors and youth is important for our community and we need to find different ways bring back those opportunities.

What qualifies you?

What has served me greatly in the last few years (on the City Council) are my strong management skills that I developed in the corporate world. I am very good at listening to people, working with people, and finding ways to solve problems.

Also I have very strong budgeting skills. It is important to look at the budget carefully and review it line by line and make sure everything is clear so we can all understand what things are and money is for. That way everyone is aware of where the money goes instead of these lump sums to general categories.

Why should people vote for you?

I think they should vote for me because the city is currently on the right track. I have helped to ensure we are fiscally sound and that even though we are a small town, we are heard within the county. Some people don't realize that we share some of our services with others such as water and waste and we have to work with other groups. I have been able to make sure our voice is heard as a city in Sonoma County.

I have the energy and time to put in to benefit the community and am willing to do it if the citizens want to put me in that position. We have a great community and I would like to help keep it that way.

For more information on Susan you can view her profile at Smart Voter.

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