Alan Haffa, Monterey City Council - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Alan Haffa, Monterey City Council

Party/Affiliation: Democrat
Current Job: Professor at Monterey Peninsula College

Top 3 Priorities if Elected:

PROMOTE JOB GROWTH 

Buy local policy and dowtown revitalization plan 

SECURE AFFORDABLE WATER SOURCE 

Support public ownership of water supply, and demand a thorough study to determine which desalinization plan will be best for ratepayers.  In addition, offer residents options to reduce water bills and usage through incentives to irrigate lawn and gardens with rain and grey water diversion.

BUILD COMMUNITY 

We have Senior Citizens who need help, and young people who need work or a place to live.  I will bring facilitate collaboration between college officials, non-profits who serve seniors, and the city, to build a Senior-Youth Coop.

     As an educator, I have the communication skills to explain the issues in a way that people can understand. Additionally, I have demonstrated the ability to facilitate collaboration.  At Monterey Peninsula College, I am co-chair of College Council, the highest advisory committee to the President and the Board.  As such, I work with all segments of the college community and facilitate our shared governance process.  From 2004-2007, I served on the board of the local school district, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, the last year as Board President.  In that capacity, I was successful at helping the board rebuild trust with employees and community, make a change in leadership, address our facility program, and improve education.  We worked with community volunteers to raise the $1,600,000 needed to renovate Dan Albert Football Field.  We demanded an audit of our facilities programs and got our facilities back on the path to fiscal responsibility.  We resisted the lobbying of corporate developers to build unneeded schools in the former Fort Ord, but instead redesigned an existing school to provide Marina with their own High School.

     The council's job is to not to figure out every problem.  The council's job is to be a link between the community and the city staff, to listen to the community, and then to represent the interests and values of the community.  After listening to the community, the council sets the direction and establishes the policy goals.  We direct staff to implement this vision and we hold them accountable. 

     I have the personal character as well as communication and facilitation skills to accomplish my policy goals.  I am a good listener. Also, I know how to collaborate, but when necessary, I will demonstrate the strength of my convictions by standing up for the community and being a strong leader.