* INTRUSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Monahan said...

* INTRUSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Monahan said he believes in “stemming the tide of intrusive

government and bureaucracy.” Costa Mesa has many characteristics,

personalities, interests and hobbies, Monahan said. It is not a

planned community and the residents need to be able to fulfill their

life’s needs and dreams without local government standing in the way.

* FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Monahan said he believes in keeping tight reigns on the city’s

budget by focusing on safety, emergency services, roadways and parks.

The sitting councilman fought to cut inflated programs during budget

deliberations in June because the city could not longer afford to

increase spending, with California legislators hovering over local

funds like vultures.

“The state is going to nail us to solve their budget problems and

we need to be prepared,” Monahan said.

* BETTER PARKS

Monahan said he would like to see more residents enjoying their

local parks and plans to seek out vacant land aggressively to

accommodate the various recreational needs in the city. He also wants

to encourage the use of existing parks by providing better

maintenance.

* OVERALL RESPECT

Every individual in Costa Mesa -- regardless of whether they are

rich or poor, a homeowner or a renter -- must be esteemed by city

leaders, Monahan said. Local government needs to be flexible to allow

for residents’ individual needs, he said, and work with people, not

against them, to help them accomplish their goals.

“One plan does not fit all,” Monahan said. “We need to make

decisions not study, committee and plan.”