As the Nov. 8 election approaches, Anaheim mayoral candidate and businesswoman Ashleigh Aitken said she wants to prioritize the city’s economic development.
“The most important issue for me is the restoration of Anaheim as the economic powerhouse of the region,” Aitken told The Epoch Times.
To achieve such a goal, Aitken said it is important for the city to continue to support its resort district because it is the largest contributor to the city’s economy and an important financial engine for Orange County- especially the annual 25 million tourists.
He also said that it is important for the city to focus on the growth of new industries for today’s needs, such as technology, medical devices, and green energy.
“We haven’t made a big push to change [the resort economy] with the industries that are growing in the current environment,” he said.
Doing so requires some streamlining, he said.
“We can be a better partner with businesses to cut unnecessary red tape, to get people’s permits faster, and to get projects approved,” he said.
Besides boosting the economy, Aitken said, if elected, he wants to address the city’s homeless issues by working on long-term solutions to help individuals become independent again. .
“We’re not just throwing good money after bad, but actually equipping people with the skills to move forward and become productive members of society,” he said.
Anaheim has the highest homeless population in Orange County with more than 1,000 living on its streets and in shelters, according to the county’s 2022 count-in-time.
He said it is important to provide the right resources, such as mental health classes, sobriety programs, job training, and computer skills, to help the homeless population according to their individual needs.
At the same time, according to Aitken, laws must be followed to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
“If we have people who are resistant to service or are not interested in moving on the path of independence, we need to empower our law enforcement and our city officials to enforce our laws,” he said.
He added that he will ensure that the police have the funding, staff, equipment and training they need to be successful.
“If people don’t feel safe leaving their homes, using their parks, or walking to and from work, then we’re not doing the basic duties that a municipal government should do,” he said. he.
He also said it is important that the city’s fire department has enough equipment and personnel to fight the worsening fire.
“We have the same size fire department, with the same size staff, as we did in 2008, although we know they’re getting about twice as many calls,” he said.
Aitken is a former federal prosecutor and his candidacy is supported by the city’s police and fire unions.
“They trust me to implement policies that really get the ball rolling on making neighborhoods safer,” he said.
Aitken also addressed his concern about transparency and fairness in the city following an FBI investigation into former Mayor Harry Sidhu’s alleged involvement in corruption related to the sale of Angel Stadium.
“We can do a better job of tightening our rules on lobbyists. Apparently there are some loopholes that allow the current majority in the council and the mayor to run in city hall,” he said. “[We need to] Make sure people can easily access who is supporting the candidates, not only during the campaign but during their term.”
Sidhu has since resigned and Councilman Trevor O’Neil, who is also running in the race, has temporarily assumed the mayor’s role.
Also in the running are non-profit executive Lorri Galloway and water systems operator Dick Lopez.
Aitken also ran for mayor of Anaheim in 2018 and received 32 percent of the vote but lost to Sidhu by less than 1 percent.
Regarding the now-defunct sale of Angel Stadium, Aitkin said local government should be an advocate for taxpayer protection, and he wants to return the Anaheim name to the baseball team.
The Angels are under contract to play at the stadium through at least 2029, with extensions that could take it through 2038. After the scandal broke last spring, team owner Arte Moreno said he intends to sell the team.
If such a change happens, Aitken said, he wants the city to work with the new owner on a blueprint for the stadium to develop mixed-use housing around the site, and to identify a path that satisfies the organization while keeping Anaheim’s. attitude
“[We would like] to work with them and educate them about not only what their vision is for Anaheim, but who Anaheim is, what the Anaheim way is, and what the Anaheim values are,” he said.
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