POLICIES

1. Fiscal Responsibility

Councilmember Marty Medina’s no vote for the Mills Park Development was wrong. He knows it, and we know it. It was devastating for San Bruno. It was a development that would have brought tens of millions of working dollars to our city along with the needed funding for beautifying our transit corridor. Sadly, his selfish decision cost us all millions and nearly destroyed our relationship with the development community. As a result, developers are bypassing San Bruno and working directly with the state leaving us with subpar prefab, low-income apartments and no parking.  Now, our current City Council wants you to support a property tax increase to help solve the city’s budget crisis that they caused. We can’t let them get away with this irresponsible fiscal management. If elected, I will be a fiscal hawk, I will demand financial accountability throughout the city’s management, ensuring that our budget—your taxes, from your hard-earned money—is spent wisely and frugally. You deserve an end to wasteful “tax and spend” policies and I guarantee I will end the negligent policies the current council continues to push through. As a successful small business owner, and one expertly familiar with development, I have the financial and management expertise to steer our city away from the current council caused disaster and toward fiscal prudence and efficiency. Bottom line, I won’t throw away your money.

Here’s my plan: 

• Fully Transparent Budgeting: Not the empty promise kind our current council provides, the real deal – fully transparent. I will ensure that we have a transparent budgeting process that allows you to see exactly how our tax dollars are being spent. By making budget details accessible and understandable, we can build trust together and ensure accountability.
• Eliminating Wasteful Spending: Sounds simple right? Except our current council has failed us on this front. Millions of dollars have been wasted on garbage cans, newspaper racks, and now a downtown gazebo. All, what I consider, lipstick on a pig. I will conduct a thorough review of current expenditures to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. This includes scrutinizing contracts, programs, and services to ensure they are cost-effective and deliver value to all of you. It’s time to cut the fat. This is your money and it should be managed to benefit you.
• Strategic Investments: Strategic investments in critical areas that benefit you such as infrastructure, public safety, and community services will be prioritized. By investing wisely and by accounting for every penny, we can enhance the quality of life for all San Bruno residents without burdening you the taxpayer.
• Encouraging Economic Growth: There’s an elementary rule that is enforced in successful cities that our current council has missed; a robust local economy generates more revenue and reduces the need for tax increases. I will work to attract new businesses to San Bruno and support existing ones by streamlining permitting processes and business-friendly policies making the city work for you. Step 1 – Hire a dedicated Business Development Director who, with you in mind, will spearhead these efforts. This step will ensure that our downtown and commercial areas don’t just survive month to month but thrive to rival neighboring cities.
• Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships: Public-private partnerships can be a powerful tool for funding projects without overburdening the city’s budget. The current council has failed to leverage these partnerships in a way that favors you. San Bruno is home to Google, YouTube, Kaiser, Artichoke Joes, and many hotels. I will explore opportunities to not just ask for donations; BUT collaborate with private corporations on initiatives that benefit our community both financially and to create a more community oriented city, from infrastructure improvements to community programs designed to serve you.
• Long-Term Financial Planning: Long-term financial planning is essential for maintaining fiscal health. On this front, the current council has failed to sufficiently plan for our future. I will work with financial experts to develop a comprehensive financial plan that anticipates your future needs and challenges, ensuring that San Bruno remains financially stable for years to come.
• Efficient Use of Resources: By optimizing the use of city resources, we can do more with less, saving the city and taxpayers millions of dollars. This includes adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, enhancing employee training programs, and implementing best practices in municipal management. It’s long past time to bring San Bruno on par with our neighboring cities and implement  future forward thinking.
• Community Involvement: It’s your money and you should have a say on how it’s spent. I believe in the power of community input in budget decisions. I will establish regular town hall meetings, hosted by city leaders, to gather feedback and ideas from you the residents and business owners of San Bruno. This will ensure that our fiscal policies reflect the priorities and needs of our diverse neighborhoods and every one of you.

With these detailed fiscal plans, a focus on you the community, I am confident we can create a financially sustainable and better future for San Bruno, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and in the best interest of our residents. 

If you elect me, I will do the heavy lifting for us and we will work together to achieve fiscal responsibility and build a stronger, safer, more prosperous city for all of us to enjoy now and into the future.

2. Supporting our Seniors
I was raised to respect our elders and those who have helped to build our beautiful city. It’s time the council recognize these same values. With 15% of San Mateo County’s population over 65 and this number set to rise, affordable senior housing in San Bruno is critical. I will champion this cause if elected. My father, Bob Marshall, served as Mayor of San Bruno for 12 years, starting in 1980. One of his proudest achievements was the creation of our Senior Center, a fantastic resource offering a free lunch program and a variety of classes and activities. I will continue to support my father’s legacy and our seniors. Over the past year, I’ve visited the Center on several occasions, and each time I’m impressed with its programs and its potential for future impact. How lucky we are to have such a resource in our backyard; it’s a distinction not every city has earned. It is my pledge to improve upon its services and keep the Senior Center healthy well into our future. I am committed to addressing the buildings deferred maintenance and expanding our programs to enhance the dignity and quality of life for our older adults. The Senior Center is a cornerstone of our community, and I will ensure it remains properly maintained and accessible, with excellent transportation options and a diversity of offerings and services.

3. Strengthening our Infrastructure

One of the first things you all mention to me when I’ve had an opportunity to meet with you is that a thriving city requires robust and well-maintained infrastructure. To keep San Bruno running smoothly, we need to address a variety of issues head-on and with you in mind. From developing comprehensive parking solutions and revitalizing our downtown commercial areas to planning for the future of San Bruno Cable TV, I am prepared to tackle these challenges with urgency and effectiveness.

San Bruno’s downtown has been overlooked for too long. We are uniquely positioned to be the leading city in our county but our current council has failed to produce effective growth. I propose appointing a Business Development Director dedicated to attracting new businesses and advocating for existing ones, much like a Chamber of Commerce does in many of our neighboring cities. By streamlining the permitting processes and offering support to local entrepreneurs, and your businesses throughout our city, we can foster a vibrant economic environment to benefit all of us. Additionally, I will push for innovative uses of city owned lots and strategic urban planning to ensure our city grows sustainably and hits milestones that are long overdue.

Infrastructure also means improving our public facilities and services. I will advocate for the modernization of our public buildings, parks, and recreational areas, ensuring they meet the needs of all residents. This includes enhancing our public transportation network to provide more efficient and accessible options for everyone, from daily commuters to the transportation needs of our seniors to the Senior Center, I will work to make San Bruno a hub of efficient and future forward public transportation.

With my incisive and experienced negotiation skills and decades of a diverse group of built relationships, I am ready to collaborate with local businesses, community leaders, and county and state government officials to secure the necessary funding and resources for these projects. Unlike the current council’s failed band-aid solutions, I am committed to real innovation and long-term planning. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient San Bruno that meets our demands for today and for the future.

4. An Open Door Policy
Responsiveness is the hallmark of my professional life. If elected, I will maintain an open-door policy, ensuring greater personal engagement. I’ve always been a good listener, but now is the time for even more accessibility. I pledge to be responsive, authentic, and transparent, making sure every resident is heard and valued. Your concerns will always have a place in my office and MY OFFICE WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN TO YOU.