Jeremy Ball
Lompoc City Council - District 4
| Website: | www.jeremy4lompoc.com |
| Facebook: | facebook.com/jeremy4lompoc |
| Twitter: | @jeremy4lompoc |
| Other: | instagram.com/jeremy4lompoc |
| Why are you running for office?: | I love my hometown. That said, I know we can do so much better! Over the last decade, we've seen a significant decline in the overall peace and public safety of our town. Our general funds have decreased as pension obligations (CalPERS) have increased, and the current council majority repeatedly refused to allow voters to pass a sales tax to alleviate those financial burdens until earlier this year (five years after it was first introduced). The lack of will to invest in ourselves has adversely affected our ability to attract and support holistic growth within our city. We need to do better. I want to see this town reach its fullest potential. To do so takes a leader with a transparent vision, one that can listen to and activate every member of this community, and one that serves in the best interest of our citizens. The people of Lompoc are our greatest resource! When we bring folks together and include them in the conversation, Lompoc works. |
| What makes you qualified for the job?: | I'm a small business owner and community advocate. I've chaired the Lompoc Economic Development Committee where we've hosted important conversations about our local economy and education—all while working towards building collaborative efforts. I currently serve as the Board Chairperson at the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce. There, we have pushed to keep businesses informed and prepared during our current challenges. Through the Chamber we have celebrated community by offering leadership classes for our youth and by hosting the Old Town Market every summer. Over the years, I've earned the knowledge and experience to bring equitable and sustainable policies to the council. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win?: | First, we have to stabilize our public safety sector. With limited investment in both police and fire over the last decade, Lompoc is behind in retaining and attracting qualified employees. We must maintain a baseline of services that our community both deserves and expects. That said, we must be thoughtful as we work to bring a balanced approach to public safety. New collaborations must be created to provide service to those in vulnerable populations. Secondly, I want to continue working with the community to elevate our self esteem about Lompoc and push towards shared goals. As we more clearly define what we want our town to look and feel like in the future, we can pursue additional resources that can help us realize our fullest potential. |
| How will you interact with other governments?: | Lompoc cannot address all of our issues alone. Whether it is homelessness, mental health issues, employment etc., we must have a direct line of communication with our leaders at every level. As a leader, I will work to build bridges between the needs of our community and those in power who can help. We need to constantly shine a spotlight on our issues and invite our county, state and federal leaders to join us in tackling our local challenges. |
| What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: | We must communicate clearly from City Hall. Citizens are often left in the dark about important details and changes to regulations. The current council removed our public information officer. This is a critical mistake, especially in our current scenario. We need more transparency, not less. Better communication will only go so far. We need resources. As the federal and state governments work to provide relief, we must have a seat at every table. Why? So that we might access additional funding to backfill gaps created by the pandemic's impact on the economy. |
| Which two issues are most important to you?: | 1. Peace and Public Safety. We need to make sure that every citizen feels safe. We cannot attract new businesses or families to Lompoc if they do not feel protected. 2. Access to Additional Resources. First, we need to ensure that every citizen has a voice in the process. When we truly listen to the needs of the community, we can identify opportunities to invest in ideas that move us forward. Once an opportunity is identified, we can work together to locate appropriate funding or creatively address the problem. |
