Over the past four years, I have been a positive voice for our city with a strong belief in our community’s potential. We need to continue to preserve and enhance our environmental assets, family-friendly atmosphere and unique business community and neighborhoods.

• As Vice Chair and Director, Economic Development Collaborative – Ventura County, creating jobs for the citizens of Ventura has been very important to me. As chair of the Council's Economic Development Committee, I have provided leadership in creating the city's small business incubator.  This program contributed to Ventura's recognition as one of Fortune magazine’s top 100 places to start a small business in 2008.  We held an Economic Summit, bringing more than 175 community members to develop and implement an action plan to help stimulate our local economy and take advantage of opportunities.

 • My fellow council members and I have overseen a balanced budget every year. This has been challenging in this economic downturn, but we’ve made carefully deliberated and wise choices which have helped minimize the impacts to our citizens.

• As City Council liaison to the school district, I helped bring back our School Resource Officers and supported youth programs like our wonderful City Corps for at-risk youth.

• Quality-of-life issues are important to me and I have worked to protect our recreational, cultural and historical assets.  A firm believer in public/private partnerships, I brought various land conservancies together to help sustain and enhance Grant Park and our hillsides.

• Workforce housing is a priority for me and I have worked to find affordable options for all of our citizens.   

I will be honored to have your continued support in my effort to make our city the best it can be.    

Sincerely,

Ed Summers