You may recognize my name as I recently ran for U.S. House of Representatives in this district. While I did not prevail, I’ve decided to run for Mayor because I can no longer stand by and watch our local officials do nothing to benefit the people and the town I love.
I am a painting contractor with a wife and three children. I grew up in Concord and attended De La Salle High School. I went on to Los Medanos and Diablo Valley Community Colleges before continuing my education at SF State.
I have lived in Martinez for approximately thirteen years, and my two young children attend John Muir Elementary. I have always been an astute observer of politics and know the importance of implementing fair and equitable laws and policies for those I see as the heart of America – the working class and the middle class.
Times are tough in America and Martinez is typical of what’s going on in this country. We need to demand accountability and transparency from our elected representatives. We can no longer allow Sacramento’s lobbyists to influence our city officials with redevelopment scams. Blight and Eminent Domain should be determined by the people and not those who may benefit monetarily or politically. Period!
I’m a problem solver and we have critical issues that can no longer be side-stepped. With your support we can make Martinez the vibrant town it used be.
So, I’m running for Mayor of Martinez. Because I know I can make a difference.
Here’s my plan to give Martinez what we want and truly need:
• Make our Marina the tourism magnet of Contra Costa. Give tax incentives to attract fun eateries and pleasure businesses like rental shops for boats, bicycles, skates. Sponsor city events there like fishing derbies, kite festivals, sailing regattas.
• Support and strengthen local businesses with incentives for growth, like tax breaks for hiring and keeping new workers in Martinez.
• Expand support for our talented arts community. It is the seedling that grows into a vibrant nightlife with theaters, dance clubs and art galleries.
• Preserve and landmark our historic homes and buildings that we all love, open some as museums. Let’s make Martinez a unique tourist destination in the Bay Area.
And how do I propose to accomplish my plan? Here’s how:
• We need to keep our money here at home to grow our local economy. No more wasting hundreds of thousands of our dollars on outsider consultants.
• We need responsible government. Allowing the Marina to deteriorate is counterproductive. If we allow a redevelopment agency and predatory government to prevail against the people, this town will never flourish.
• We cannot afford the massive debt from redevelopment bond issues. No more debt!
• We need quality education. School programs that are being hollowed out could be supplemented with volunteers from the community.
• We must protect our pristine environment by clamping down on illegal dumping. Our laws need to be enforced and fines collected.
• We need a cost-effective police force who live here and understand our needs – our safety and our well-being is at stake.
• We need local organic farmers markets in the city so we can feed our children healthy nutritious food and keep our dollars here.
• We need a downtown shuttle service to ferry patrons downtown and back home.
• We must stop the County’s hospital and jail from releasing dangerous incompetents to fend for themselves in the streets.
• We need designated motorcycle parking spaces and a downtown parking garage. And why do we have 2 hour maximum parking downtown with fines for meter feeding? Our parking policy needs a complete overhaul.
• And the $4 million in State funds in 2000 earmarked for the Marina inexplicably misappropriated? Something is fishy down at City Hall.
I promise to make things right again in Martinez as your Mayor.
And I don’t take money from special interests. Because I am of, by and for the people.
I respect each and every one of you, and that’s why I’m running. To save our town it’s going to take all of us working together.
Please read my position statements, watch my campaign videos, hear my interviews, contribute and volunteer at JohnFitzgeraldForMayor.com
And please tell me your issues, your concerns and suggestions – my campaign is truly for the people.
Email me at John@JohnFitzgeraldForMayor.com or phone me at 925-383-9927.
I’ll be holding town hall meetings and I invite you all to attend and participate. This is our town.
Please elect me as your Mayor to keep it that way. Thank you.
I’m John Fitzgerald.
Twitter.com/fitzgeraldmayor
Facebook.com/JohnFitzgeraldForMayor
JohnFitzgeraldForMayor.com
