JOAN LEON -- Candidate for Council Member -- City of Santa Maria (Check Smart Voter's web site for full biographical highlights and political philosophy) -- Contact Joan at www.joanleon.com
Biographical Highlights
(1) Occupation: Writer/Researcher
(2) Member of League of Women Voters since 1969
(3) Served as LWV president in Santa Maria Valley
(4) Awarded national League fellowship to participate in government for a month in Washington, D. C.
(5) Served two terms on the county civil grand jury
(6) Write a monthly column about local issues in the Santa Maria Times
(7) Graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in English
Top Priorities as City Council Member
(1) Return direction of the city to the elected council, not the city manager
(2) Have an open government informing the residents of city issues
(3) Be independent of special interests by conducting a clean money campaign
Position Papers
(1) Take Back the City -- The city council hires only the city manager and city attorney. The council follows the direction of the manager and staff. There is a need for more leadership on the council. I will speak out, ask questions and provide new energy to the council.
(2) We Need a More Open City Government -- Residents are not being fully informed about issues in the city.
(3) Clean Money Campaign for a Conflict-Free Elected Official -- By NOT accepting money and endorsements from businesses, groups, unions, or political parties, I will be free of conflicts of interest.
In addition to advocating After Work Town Hall Meetings for citizens to stop by and voice their concerns, Joan feels the city "should make every effort to inform the public, not just the minimum notice required by law."
"Did we have a voice about the contaminated sand being trucked through our city to the landfill for the next five years?" she asks.
She also asks, "Why did the grand jury in 2004-05 have to issue 18 subpoenas to investigate the city government?"
Joan states that as a candidate free of self-interest conflicts, she "will continue to speak out and ask critical questions at city council meetings."
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