The citizens of Pittsburg do not want a data center in their city, especially one so close to children. As a city council member, what will you do to stop construction of the data center?
Faith, Pittsburg · 9 votes
Wrong project. Wrong location.
We need to pause and decide, as a community, whether we want data
centers at all, and if we do, where and how big. Pittsburg has design
standards for homes, shops, and churches, but none for data centers.
It isn't in our general plan. That gets written first.
The data center is a symptom of the city's revenue problem. Fixing the revenue
is the right goal, but this is the wrong way to do it. I've been speaking against closing
the golf course since 2018, and it's on the record.
▶ Watch this answer (3:35)
How would you handle the city's budget priorities if revenue is tight — what gets cut first, what's protected?
Angela, Pittsburg · 6 votes
Grow revenue before you cut.
Before we cut anything, the first question is whether we're maximizing revenue. I don't
mean raising your taxes or business fees. I mean filling Pittsburg's empty commercial
space and growing the tax base.
If cuts can't be avoided, council sets direction and the city manager works
with department heads on what's essential. Residents hear about it early, because a
shortfall should never be a surprise. I'd protect curb appeal, good
parks, and a fully staffed police department that every resident feels
safe calling. Parks and economic development are the city's “sales
departments,” the last places to cut.
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Can the city consider adding water features or splash pads to our local parks/playgrounds. Our summers get quite hot, and for the last 10 years of being a resident of Pittsburg, I have had to take my children to neighboring cities to visit playgrounds with water features.
Emily, Highland Meadows · 6 votes
Yes, and let residents choose.
Parks have a useful life. A lot of Buchanan Park looks the same as it did when I
was a kid. I'd audit every park's condition and features, ask residents what
they actually want, and use developer community-benefit dollars to add it,
whether that's a splash pad, pickleball courts, or something else. John Buckley
Square is a prime spot for a splash pad. With six kids of my own, I know how much an easy,
affordable summer outing matters.
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What are the top three issues facing Pittsburg right now, and what's your specific plan to address each?
Angela, Pittsburg · 5 votes
Are we winning? Then data centers, then growth.
1. Define what winning looks like. Pick three city
goals a year, not a long wish list. Review a public on-track or off-track
dashboard at every council meeting.
2. Data centers. The community decides whether, where,
and how big, and then it gets written into city code.
3. Economic development. Fill our vacant space and grow the
tax base. Every promise on this ballot costs money, and this is how we pay for it
without taxing you more.
▶ Watch this answer (13:18)