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Wade Nomura

Wade Nomura
Wade Nomura - Carpinteria City Council candidate

Carpinteria City Council

Facebook: Wade Nomura, Carpinteria City Council
Why are you running for office?: I have served the City of Carpinteria for over 25 years including eight years on the City Council and currently as the Mayor. I have enjoyed working to preserve our small town charm and making decisions that best benefit our community. Carpinteria is a very special place with citizens constantly giving back by helping others and I want to make sure Carpinteria stays this way.
What makes you qualified for the job?: I moved to Carpinteria in 1977 to raise my family here. I have remained active in the community and served on the Architectural Review Board for 17 year before being elected to City Council in 2011. In that time, I have gained a good understanding of the priorities and resources that Carpinteria has. I also have a deep committment to the community, having invested thousands of hours in the local community as a volunteer, helping our youth, the environment, charity programs and more. Recognition for my volunteer service resulted in me receiving the Carpinterian of the Year award in 2011. 
What are your two main priorities if you win?: My number one priority is to set in place plans and policies to assist us in our economic recovery following this pandemic to get our citizens and businesses back on their feet and see Carpinteria vibrant again. My second priority is to strengthen our Community by making sure our City takes into account making sound decisions that best serve our citizens, our youth and our environment.
How will you interact with other governments?: In the 25 years of serving the City, I have established good working relationships at the local, county, state, and federal levels of government, and plan to continue to work with them to ensure Carpinteria's voice is heard and our best interests represented.
What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: When the Pandemic resulted in isolation orders, my concern was for both the health and wellbeing of our community. I predicted the huge impact the orders would have on our economy the minute it was announced. Research has shown that every dollar spent in the local community can circulate up to six times before leaving, so I personally started buying gift vouchers at our local businesses, giving them away to Carpinterians and asking them to do the same. I announced this at the City Council meeting and have continued to do this. My election signage and face masks were purchased from Rockwell Printing and Serigraph, local suppliers with a view to help the economy, rather than cheaper online options.
I recommended to the City Council a plan that would create two separate committees to address pandemic issues and personally invited key stakeholders from every sector so we could utilize the Carpinterian spirit of working together to combat the issues. The Communications Committee to keep the community informed and up to date on health and business orders, and an Economic Recovery Committee tasked with minimizing the impacts and supporting the businesses and unemployed.

We initiated the waiving of business license fees and a $160,000 restart grant program. We worked with businesses, especially in downtown what they wanted, which was to expand operations onto the street or carparks, but not close the streets plus quick approval processes. We pushed moral boosting and causes as ideas came about – include Mask up Carp and signage for School leavers. We also supported the local charities, closing streets and facilitating food bank programs helping those in need.

We had to balance economic issues with health issues and I have worked closely with State Parks who control the campgrounds to provide education to tourists whose spending we need, without negative health consequences. I have worked closely with the county health department, meeting twice weekly, with their department taking the lead on actions involving public health policies with our input.

I will continue with the above actions and introduce any more that come forward to help our community.
Which two issues are most important to you?: Number one is to reestablish our economy as quickly as possible by setting in place plans for our economy following the Pandemic for our workforce, retail businesses, and citizens.

My other priority is for affordable housing in meeting the needs of those working and living here. The permiting process needs revamping which we are working on, to streamline the process and reduce costs.
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