Printer-friendly version
Dear Voters,
November 2, 2010 (Lakeside) -- I'm Mark Hanson and I’m running in the 77th Assembly District to represent you as a fellow East County resident. I’ve spent my entire life serving the public – and hope to continue doing so in Sacramento.
I will fight for stronger fire protection for our region. As a Cedar Fire survivor, I know how important it is to have fire warning and protection. My nonprofit, Heartland Coalition, raised money to help fire victims rebuild their lives. Heartland also founded the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine to help keep people in East County protected and informed.
As a former educator twice named teacher of the year, I’ve taught at our local colleges and also served as an administrator of the Grossmont Union High School District back when it was among the best school districts in the state. I will work hard to restore our public schools to their former high achievement levels for our children.
Last month, the state superintendent of schools, speaking in Santee, warned that California “is going the wrong way by defunding public education.” Yet my opponent, Brian Jones, stated in a recent debate that he does not believe that funding for public schools is a problem.
I am also deeply concerned about our young people being priced out of a college education. Tuitions have skyrocketed and kids today are working two and three jobs to stay in school while holding down full-time course loads. This is wrong. We can generate a positive cash flow to fund education. One way is to levy a 10% tax on oil wells and stop giving away California's oil (Texas has a 10% tax; Alaska, 25%)! Another way to fund education is to reduce prison costs. Did you know that in some European countries, each prisoner earns money for the state? Apprenticeship and manufacturing programs in the prisons offer job training, which reduces repeat offenses, while the state actually makes money. We can do this without raising taxes!
Of course, jobs and the economy are important priorities. My plan will bring good-paying jobs to our area—enough for people to raise families and have a good living. My opponent, a minister who sold church properties before running for Santee’s Council, says he’s created jobs. True, but they were primarily short-term construction jobs and minimum wage retail jobs. He has no experience working beyond the local level. I do.
I have the experience to be a leader in Sacramento. I am the CEO/president of United Green Industries, bringing green jobs to our region, and of Leadership Management International, San Diego—training leaders of the future. I’ve organized statewide conferences inviting national speakers on renewable energy and green technologies, including prominent Republicans and Democrats such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Lt. Governor John Garamendi, proving that I can work across the aisle. I’ve been a director of workforce training for the Labor Council, creating jobs and working with companies on training programs.
My experience working both with corporations and working people, fueling growth in green-tech industries, and serving as an award-winning educator, have prepared me to address the serious problems facing California. I have already traveled the country prior to this campaign season, meeting with over 200 leaders of green-tech and clean-tech companies.
I’ve got commitments from 32 of them who are eager to bring companies to California, creating 2,200 jobs! Many of those will be in San Diego, including East County. All are non-polluting, clean, green companies such as manufacturing for solar panels, wind turbines, recyclable building materials, and algae-based biofuels such as the U.S. Navy is developing to sail a green fleet around the world.
I understand finance and how to balance budgets. I have been a securities broker since 1988 and CFO of an architectural firm.
Finally, I’ve volunteered or worked in many capacities for the community, including:
• District Director of Resource Development for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and currently
• Director of Training and Development for the San Diego – Imperial Counties Labor Council
• member of the Targeting Resources Committee and the Business and Industry Committee State Workforce Investment Board
• Secretary the Lakeside Planning Group
• founded Leadership Management Institute of San Diego to assist individuals and organizations in communication and productivity
• member of the State Youth Council
• member of the State Veterans Work Group
• worked with the Trust for Public Land to preserve open space in East County
• President of the Heartland Foundation, a charitable organization
• wrote grants that generated millions to fund projects in education, workforce training, and economic development
• wrote grants that provided 2003 wildfire survivors with cars, computers, furniture and other necessary items lost in the fires
• arranged financing and provided training in productivity, communication, and finance to restart businesses lost in the fires
I promise that my door will always be open, and ready to listen to your concerns.
Please vote for MARK HANSON on November 2.
Thank you,
Mark Hanson, Ph.D.
(619) 261 7180
mhanson44@gmail.com
www.hanson4assembly.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
Recent comments