Modesto, CA – Rosa Escutia-Braaton, current City of Modesto Planning Commissioner, issued the following statement announcing her candidacy for City Council, District 1:
Modesto faces many challenges. We need more good paying jobs for our residents. We need to address quality of life issues like homelessness and petty crimes and we need to maintain adequate funding and training for our essential service like police and fire. That will not be an easy task in our current economic climate. But as City Council Representative for district one I will work tirelessly in making tough decisions in unison with the residents of Modesto.
The first step to successfully meeting Modesto’s challenges is ending the bickering and squabbling that has become an unfortunate hallmark of City Council discussions. If honored with election to the council, I will strive to represent district one and the city as a whole, and commit to working collaboratively with the Mayor, other council colleagues, city staff and community leaders in preserving and enhancing quality of life, while fostering an atmosphere where communities and businesses can thrive.
The moment I moved to Modesto, I knew that I wanted to become deeply invested in this community and do everything I could to support and improve the quality of life for my family and all families that call Modesto home. To that end, I have taken every opportunity to do just that. In 2013, I was appointed to the City of Modesto Cultural Commission and in 2014, I was appointed to the City of Modesto Planning Commission, where I continue to be a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and smart growth.
I am confident in my abilities as a problem-solver and someone who looks for common ground. A fractured City Council can never be as effective as one that works to find a common vision that reflects the goals and values of the people they represent. As a member of the Council, I will work hard toward finding a common vision – one which is built on community trust and diverse input.
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