Hello. My name is Michelle Jorgensen. I am honored to have the opportunity to run for City Council in District 6. As a fourth generation resident, mother of three daughters, and wife of a Pediatric Pulmonologist at Children's Hospital, I know the obstacles facing the next City Council. The city is at a cross roads. With trying to find solutions to our air quality, urban sprawl, gang and drug problems, how can the city be concerned with adding parks, developing a vibrant downtown, and increasing accessibility to after school recreational programs? I believe that all of these issues are interrelated. Pocket parks are just one part of a well plant Smart Planning strategy. Smart growth will improve pedestrian walkways, bike paths, account for close proximity to schools and shopping, and provide access to public transportation. These steps will improve the air quality. After school recreational programs will provide critical supervision to children between the hours of 3:00 to 6:00 pm, the time when children are most likely to become involved in delinquent behavior, i.e. gangs, drugs abuse, or committing crime. As a result, gang, drug, and crime will decrease in Fresno.

I am the best candidate for Fresno. As an attorney, I have the skills necessary to analyze and assess the problems facing Fresno. As a mediator, I know the importance of long term solutions, instead of short term fixes. As a mother, I know that children are the future of Fresno. The brain drain is taking its toll on local companies that cannot find qualified employees. I have chosen to stay in Fresno. But, to be honest, sometimes I wonder if we are stuck in time. Every election we end up with the same candidates, businessmen, businessmen, businessmen. The city will benefit by having a diverse City Council. In a city of close to 500,000, it is a catastrophe that there is not one parent with a child under the age of eighteen. I will fill that void. For example, parks were frequently empty because the play equipment was too hot for the children to use. It took a local mothers group to petition the city for shade. If a mother or father with children under the age of twelve was on the council, it would never have taken so long. I also understand the importance of after school programs for children. I worked with groups of kids in Destination Imagination and saw first hand the energy they still had at the end of the day. "Idle hands are the work of the devil."

The next council will have the difficult task of redefining Fresno. With your help, I believe we can make Fresno the best place in California to raise a family or retire. We have cost of living, proximity to tourist destinations, sunny days, and acres of farmland that feed the world. With the right vision and leadership, Fresno will become the city that our children will choose to raise there families.

My top issues are: Air Quality, Urban Sprawl and Public Safety. You can find my ideas to deal with these problems on my website.

I Would Appreciate Your Vote!

Cntact Information

Michelle Jorgensen Candidate for Fresno City Council, District 2
Fresno, CA 93730
Telephone: (559) 696-3335
Email: jorgensenforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Website: www.jorgensenforcitycouncil.com