Letter to  San Antonio

        As I campaign throughout our community I am inspired by each San Antonian's interest and desire to learn more about how our 21st century city can truly lead America in a new era of human rights and civil rights initiatives.   The increase in violence experienced by our city during Mr. Hardberger's administration is a sad testament to the abandonment of these principles by all levels of government and the inadequacy of regional investment throughout the four state international border region.  The only way to counter this alarming failure is to build an even stronger sense of community.  Each of you, and I, can accomplish this on a daily and almost hourly basis.  First, we must create a human rights initiative which, very simply, will involve an oversight office that can quickly assimilate information regarding civil rights and human rights concerns and work with governmental and nongovernmental entities throughout our community.

     I am proposing and suggesting that the following research committee can offer valuable direction to develop such a plan.

       Rosa Rosales, President, League of United Latin American Citizens

       Bishop Rosa Wilson

       Sarwat Hussein, San Antonio Muslim Women

   Second, cut taxes for senior citizens and create a "living history" department within our city government, thereby, not only, helping to identify and better serve the "greatest generation" of San Antonians, but also setting up a permanent advisory board composed exclusively of senior San Antonians to advise the office of the mayor.   Such a "department" will be an invaluable resource for students, schools, libraries, and our entire community to benefit and learn as we connect our past and our future.

 Third, a more proactive agenda for community and neighborhood organizations/centers to communicate frequently with the mayor and city council. Invest in developing the technology to allow live-on-line interactive city council meetings with these community and neighborhood organizations/centers.

  And finally, "transparency,"   our mayor and city council can conduct public accountability sessions every month so that each taxpayer will learn exactly whether our "hard-earned" tax dollars are being used efficiently or mismanaged.