SF.Elections.DavidPfeffer

David Pfeffer Candidate for City Council, District 1 For the purposes of this forum, sponsored by Voices of Santa Fe, candidates were requested to focus on the three core issues they believe are facing Santa Fe. Further core issues and additional comments sent by the candidate on their background, motivation, etc. are found after the section on Core Issues. Core issues: An imminent and severe water shortage for existing users and stymieing new construction. The financial well-being of city government. The diversification of our economy. See below for further core issues ddressed by David Pfeffer. Top Priorities A solution to our water problem. Like it or not, we have to plan for serious conservation, retrofitting, water harvesting, effluent recycling, and finding new supplies. We have to live within our means. A sustainability filter through which all major city decisions are passed. Water is only the lead resource we have to preserve. Santa Fe must respect its cultural base as well as its economic engine to endure. An ordinance requiring positive answers to the question of sustainability should be applied to all major decisions in the common good. The economically sound and community vibrant development of the Railyard. The Community Plan needs denser commercial space to encourage reasonable lease costs and to bring vibrant life to the area to insure success and a good community outcome. Further Comments by the Candidate Additional Core issues: The connection between resources and growth. The sustainability of our culture, economy and resources. The safety, cleanliness and quiet of our neighborhoods. The development of the Railyard. Background Information Why I am running: We are at a crucial point in Santa Fe's history. We face serious problems. We face a serious water shortage. I believe growth is a natural and healthy phenomenon. But whether you are pro- or anti-growth, without water, we go nowhere. San Juan-Chama will not solve this problem: most of that water is already spoken for. Nor will new wells, since the State Engineer will not approve further aquifer depletion. Like it or not, we have to plan for serious conservation, retrofitting, water harvesting, effluent recycling, and finding new supplies. We have to live within our means. Any child can tell you what happened to the planet Krypton when its decision makers ignored the facts. The rest is history. We own the government. It is our responsibility. When the government does not do its job, it is our job to assert that ownership. If you are satisfied with the representation you have in District One, vote for the incumbent. If you are not, you have a choice. As a Planning Commissioner and successful veteran of many civic battles, I believe I am your best choice. It would be an honor to be allowed to serve. Biographical material: David Pfeffer is a twenty-five year Santa Fe resident who has raised a family here, participated in civic affairs, and been an active volunteer in many civic causes. He is an architect, served on the Board of Adjustment and is now a member of the Planning Commission. He led the ten-year drive for the ice rink at the Chavez Center and led the community effort to build St. Elizabeth Shelter for the Homeless. David has helped craft city legislation, including the Big Box Retail Store, Downtown Parking and the Telecommunications Ordinances. After lobbying for the new city ice rink, he organized the Chavez Community Center's grand opening (attended over two weekends by 50,000 people) and has successfully led a number of community events that require city participation and approval. He coordinated the AIDS Walk for 2000 and 2001, raising almost $250,000 to fight AIDS. David is a frequent contributor to the solutions to issues at City Hall, working behind the scenes for the common good. We will continue to update our information on the candidates, and plan to sponsor additional dialog, and possibly interviews for this election. If you would like to assist in keeping these pages updated, organize candidate meetings, or have other ideas for supporting democracy in our local community, please contact The Global Dialog Project at valor@global-dialog.org