Soapbox
Creo en Revolución.
I do not subscribe to Liberal or Conservative fanaticism. I believe complacency is the greatest obstacle to change, followed closely by US-centrism and exceptionalism. I endorsed the passage of Measure H in 2012 and was an outspoken proponent of Measure F in 1998. I mourn the loss of community resources such as Tiffany's Garden for Children, KHSU, SCRAP, Outer Space and The Placebo. I'd like to see a daily return of Food Not Bombs on the Plaza (or similarly inspired free food programs). I’m an advocate for fair housing and expanded resources for the homeless. I favor more public restrooms and trash cans. I encourage reappropriating unused public spaces to form community food gardens. I'd like to see healthier food options available in local schools. I would urge public landscapers to plant only native, or edible species. I want to incentivize local businesses to “go green” and promote a rise of locally sourced/produced goods, while decreasing dependency on out-of-town contracts. As a defender of environmentalism, I will always petition for stricter protections. I support the gig economy. I aim to establish a city-wide, public arts movement (such as in Eureka,) and would like to see more murals, more sculptures, more outdoor events, more all-age venues and vehicle-free pedestrian zones.
I do not subscribe to Liberal or Conservative fanaticism. I believe complacency is the greatest obstacle to change, followed closely by US-centrism and exceptionalism. I endorsed the passage of Measure H in 2012 and was an outspoken proponent of Measure F in 1998. I mourn the loss of community resources such as Tiffany's Garden for Children, KHSU, SCRAP, Outer Space and The Placebo. I'd like to see a daily return of Food Not Bombs on the Plaza (or similarly inspired free food programs). I’m an advocate for fair housing and expanded resources for the homeless. I favor more public restrooms and trash cans. I encourage reappropriating unused public spaces to form community food gardens. I'd like to see healthier food options available in local schools. I would urge public landscapers to plant only native, or edible species. I want to incentivize local businesses to “go green” and promote a rise of locally sourced/produced goods, while decreasing dependency on out-of-town contracts. As a defender of environmentalism, I will always petition for stricter protections. I support the gig economy. I aim to establish a city-wide, public arts movement (such as in Eureka,) and would like to see more murals, more sculptures, more outdoor events, more all-age venues and vehicle-free pedestrian zones.
However…
The next few years will largely be committed to damage control. Balancing optimism with reality will be difficult. A significant challenge will be finding, or reallocating, money and resources to accomplish any goals. Arcata needs fresh perspectives to navigate these troubled waters. I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know a return to “normalcy” is a missed opportunity (with potentially dire consequences). I love our microcosm with all its complicated history. Now is the time for a shift, for Arcata to change and adapt. I hope it may, once again, serve as the bright and shining example we all need.
Please help me make this vision of Arcata possible!