Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Eric Faulkner
Current job title: Management analyst
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: City commissioner (appointed)
City where you reside: Temecula
Campaign website or social media: faulknerforcitycouncil2024.com, Faulkner for Temecula City Council District 2 2024 on facebook; faulkner4citycouncild2 on Instagram
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents?
Allow for more dense housing development in areas currently zoned for single-family homes. Ensure higher density housing has public transportation hubs near. Ensure new developments align with current architectural styles of existing homes. Invest in parks and green space to improved quality of life. Involve residents in the planning process to ensure that new developments reflect the community. Distribute across the city to ensure that one area is not overburdened.
How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely?
Allocate a portion of surplus to build reserves. Expand emergency funds to ensure reserves grow. Set realistic reserve targets to promote growth. Conduct audits to identify inefficiencies in operations. Partner with public-private partnerships to offset cost. Expand tax base through economic development and business friendly policies. Ensure the focus is on long-term financial planning. The budget must be stress tested on a regular basis to determine how well it will respond financial crisis.
In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it?
The biggest need in Temecula is access to affordable housing. I would work to address the need by ensuring a mix of market-rate and low-income housing for new residential developments. Partner with public-private partnerships exploring tax breaks, grants and low-interest loans. Leverage accessory dwelling units as an opportunity to address affordable housing without significantly altering the character of existing communities.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city?
I would make a great leader because I will place the needs of the residents of Temecula as priority 1! Engaging them outside the walls of City Hall to hear their concerns and address their issues while making decisions that positively impact their quality of life. I will engage in community centered planning, tailor services to specific demographic needs, invest in local education and workforce development, enhance public safety, promote economic development/support local businesses, create a healthy/sustainable environment, be a champion for unity in the community and collaborate with nonprofits/community organizations. My 27 years of service in the U.S. Navy has prepared me to be a leader for all residents!
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