Issues I am concerned about…

Fire Safety and Open Space can work together

Like so many of my neighbors, I am an avid walker and hiker, and I appreciate the feeling that we get here in Nevada City of living in a small town surrounded by the forest. I believe that we can continue to protect the forest using it to create a natural fire break. This can be achieved by working with the City's FireWise groups, and using the City’s Measure C funds, to protect us all from the dangers of fire.  

I'm also glad to live in a community that acknowledges the central role of climate change in creating these new conditions in California that have put us all at risk. I will work hard to make sure that Nevada City does our fair share to achieve Net Zero emissions.

Maintain and Expand our Open Space and Trails

I am a big supporter of our wonderful trails and open space system. It is part of what makes this a special place.

Many people and groups worked tirelessly over the decades on the City’s preservation and acquisition of the Deer Creek Environs, Sugarloaf, Hirschman’s Pond and Trail, the Old Airport, and all of the trail segments around town. The 32 acre Nisenan Deer Creek Cultural Reclamation Corridor acquisition is an important recent addition. Pioneer Park is our version of Central Park, with something for everyone.

One of my most important goals as a Council member will be to work on maintaining and expanding our open spaces and trails. Our parks and open space lands should continue to be a proud priority. They have the potential to form a natural fire break around the city. We should consider assisting private landowners adjacent to our public lands with their fuel reduction projects with this goal in mind.

An updated Open Space Element to the General Plan will be adopted by the next City Council. I hope to help see it become a visionary plan that will continue Nevada City’s status as a leader in open space protection. Acquisition of the BLM lands and preservation of more Deer Creek access should be priorities.

Strengthen  Downtown and Seven Hills Business Districts

We need to protect our sales-tax generating business core, both our tourist dependent businesses in our historical downtown and local serving businesses in Seven Hills.   Sales tax accounts for over 40% of our revenues and pays for our police, fire protection and Public Works.   As a City Council member, I will do everything in my power to work with the business community to improve the economic vitality of our downtown and Seven Hills.

Stabilize City Staff

Being on the Planning Commission has given me insight into the importance of a stable full-time City Staff.  Staff upheaval and turnover, especially the City Manager and the City Planner positions, have cost the City money and have impeded our ability to deal with long term issues, such as dealing with rising water and sewer rates, formulating a new balanced Short Term Rental policy, and working with partners to build affordable housing that is in scale and character with our small town.

Protect the City from State & Federal Overreach

I worked on the campaign to save the County Courthouse in downtown Nevada City and to persuade the State of California not to move the courthouse out of the City, with all the disastrous consequences that move would have on our downtown economy.   That campaign made me realize the importance of forcefully advocating for our interests in our dealings with the State and with the Federal Government. 

Protect our Neighborhoods

I got into public life in Nevada City five years ago when a luxury home developer proposed to tear down a historic wall and pathway in our American Hill neighborhood to build a second driveway into his newly acquired property.  We organized our neighbors, circulated a petition and brought the issue to the Planning Commission and the City Council. After 18 months of hard work, we prevailed.  I promise that, as a City Council member, I will bring the same perseverance and hard work to all neighborhood issues, big and small, to make sure that Nevada City remains the special place that we all love.

I would appreciate your vote!

Jim