Justin Shores
Goleta City Council
| Website: | shores4goleta.com |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pg/Justin-Shores-for-Goleta-City-Council-103083884859856/ |
| Why are you running for office?: | It is important for everyone to be involved. I know the importance for people with integrity, dedication and empathy to be involved in government. This is a difficult time for our country and we must prepare for whatever comes our way. I love Goleta and our community and I will work to keep Goleta clean, safe and prosperous for all. |
| What makes you qualified for the job?: | Council Members must remember that they are public servants. My career choices have been service oriented and business management. I have excelled in my roles through hard work, integrity and dedication and I will bring the same to my role as a Council Member. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win?: | The biggest thing any Council Member can do for Goleta is to dissolve the Revenue Neutrality Agreement(RNA) with the County of Santa Barbara. We must end the RNA and bring the tax dollars back to Goleta. This will be my main priority and I will fight to make things fair for our taxpayers. These tax dollars should go back into our City to help address our crumbling infrastructure, homeless crisis and the effects of the lockdown. Our businesses have been through a lot and will face more challenges in the future when PPP funding runs out, minimum wage has its annual increase, and we have a historic state tax increase. As a City Council member I will only look to decrease the pressure on our small business and local entrepreneurs and will advocate for those in need. |
| How will you interact with other governments?: | It is necessary for the City to be aware and compliant with programs and policy at a State and Federal level but we also should use local discretion with each decision. Some things at a Federal and State level may not apply to our small coastal town and we need to be sure to stand for our community should we be included in sweeping regulation. Goleta should be the top priority for the Goleta City Council. |
| What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: | Goleta has done amazing with COVID and our community should be recognized for their sacrifice and dedication. My heart aches for any that have lost a loved one. My mom and step father survived Covid, both had major symptoms but thankfully recovered. As a council member I would encourage everyone to talk with their doctors about their current mental and physical health. Personal plans can be made to decrease the impact of the virus and comorbidities through diet and health. I would also want to safely open Gyms and health facilities so people can have access to needed services that help strengthen their physical and mental health. |
| Which two issues are most important to you?: | It is sad to see so much trash on the sides of our roads and in our creeks and ocean. We can do so much to save our environment at a local level with community involvement and accountability. Safety is a big concern for me and I am so grateful to live in Goleta after my experience in other cities. We are considered one of the safest cities in California but we have seen our share of property crime, fires, mass shootings, mudslides and traffic accidents. We must recognize the work that local law enforcement and first responders have done and continue to give them the training, tools and compensation they need. |
