| Controlling Crime |
In order to control and reduce crime in District 3, Maria has a plan that relies on proven, workable concepts. She speaks from her experience both in the legal profession, and as a mother.
- Get police the resources they need
“I am 100 percent committed to doing whatever is possible to make sure we have the police department Phoenix voters deserve...”
- Aggressively pursue violent criminals and those who prey on children
- Keep focus on “gateway crimes” such as property theft
“I spent four years in the Governor's Office as a criminal justice policy advisor where I reviewed hundreds of criminal case files. Almost without exception, those who were in prison for serious and violent offenses had started their criminal careers with property crimes.”
- Crackdown on loitering
“I'm a Mom with two little girls, and there is nothing more unsettling than having to navigate through two or three loiterers after dark when we need to make that last-minute run to the grocery store..." |
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| Improving Neighborhoods: |
While District 3 for the most part is not in dire need of radical changes when it comes to the appearance and stability of our neighborhoods, Maria recognizes there is still much that her job would require of her to keep us on the right track.
- Wise use of what vacant land there is left
“Since we have so little vacant land, we must demand that new construction is not only compatible with existing neighborhoods, but also that it IMPROVES its surroundings….”
- Focus on Redevelopment
“Since most of our land is already occupied, redevelopment is really the main concern in District 3, i.e., what happens to a building when the tenant moves out…”
- Higher standards
The job of representing District 3 will require "very tough decisions about use and reuse of buildings, enforcement of codes, and adherence to design standards. It means looking at neighborhoods that are on the brink of decline and using existing city programs to fix lawns, paint walls, mend fences, build curbs - whatever is necessary to prevent the spread of blight…” |
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| Easing Traffic Congestion: |
Having lived and worked in Phoenix many years, Maria knows firsthand the frustrations and problems that result from bad traffic situations. If elected, she plans to make fighting congestion a priority.
“I am fully sympathetic to the back-ups that occur between your home and your job - wherever it may be. We need to look at better synchronization of our traffic signals, turn lanes, bus pull-outs and other devices that assist in keeping traffic moving...” |
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| Demanding Accountability: |
From her seat on the Council, Maria will keep a watchful eye on the expenditures and management related to public funds.
“For his entire life, my dad owned his own small business. Everything he spent came right out of the bottom line of his profit...he was thoughtful about investments in his business, and even more thoughtful about expenditures...from the time I was ten years old, I worked for him and learned the value of a dollar...” |
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| Promoting Parks, Preserves and Libraries: |
Maria believes that a major component to healthy communities is a strong network of parks, preserves, and libraries.
“It is no secret that parks and open space (our preserves) are a personal priority for me. I have spent a good part of my career working on issues in all corners of the state that would result in land being saved from development...” |
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| Delivering Safe Water, Good Sewers and other Fun Stuff: |
If elected, Maria will embrace all aspects of her job, no matter how un-glamorous.
“...water, sewer, and garbage are the most essential services provided to citizens by the City of Phoenix. Our daily lives depend on having safe water to drink and to bathe in, toilets that are connected to a functioning sewer system, and garbage picked up on time…” |
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