Justin's Priorities
Prevent Overdevelopment, Reduce Traffic Congestion and Protect Open Space
All construction in Folsom should meet a high standard and require adequate infrastructure, neighborhood connection, and walkability. During my time on the Planning Commission, I have stopped developers from reducing development standards, building in our open spaces, and removing heritage oak trees. I've also successfully fought for more bike and pedestrian connections to our neighborhoods. Folsom is a desirable place to live and I intend to honor the community's desire to stay Distinctive by Nature.
The traffic on East Bidwell is unacceptable. I will prioritize construction of the Empire Ranch Interchange on Highway 50 to reduce the number of cars on East Bidwell. I'll work to separate trail crossings that slow traffic and are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians in our community.
Address the Homeless Crisis
Folsom has experienced a surge in homelessness in parts of the city. For the safety of our residents, we must enforce our local laws on fire danger, littering, open drug use, and public defecation. I will ensure our public spaces are clean and safe for Folsom's children. With the Grants Pass Supreme Court decision, we are again able to enforce our camping ban on public properties and I am working daily with residents to reclaim our parks and open spaces.
I work with our local non-profits to find solutions for any individual who wants help but this must be paired with the city's responsibility to keep our residents safe.
Improve Police and Fire Response
Folsom's property crime has been on the increase for years and violent crime is happening too often in our city. We need to fully staff our police force and provide extra personnel and resources so our officers can enforce our laws. We also need a community prosecutor who focuses on stemming Folsom's property crimes which has worked successfully for other cities in our region.
I fully support our Police and Fire Departments and will ensure they continue to receive the personnel, equipment, and training they need to keep our residents safe. I will also support new technology solutions that can help us prevent crime and respond more quickly to emergencies.
Modernize Our Local Government to Save Tax Dollars
Our city government is under pressure to do more with less. I will work with our city leadership to implement technology solutions and increase efficiency. Our residents and businesses need to focus on getting work done, not on government paperwork.
Public-private partnerships can be used to reduce the costs of our amenities and I will expand these opportunities for residents and non-profit organizations to work with the city. Finally, I will work to increase two-way app-based communication between our city government and residents through a citizen engagement platform where residents can get notified of the issues important to them and give feedback where they are passionate.