Forty-two years ago, I arrived in the United States from the Cape Verde Islands, and for the last forty years, my heart and my work have been dedicated to this community. From my roles leading Moneta Gardens Improvement and "The Castle" early childhood center, to my twelve years on the Hawthorne School District Board and service on the City Council since 2018, my focus has always been on our families. With my background in education and counseling, I have worked hand-in-hand with schools and social service agencies to ensure our underprivileged children get the physical and mental health services they need to succeed academically. I am running to continue this lifelong commitment to Hawthorne. I want to bring my decades of experience in community service and local government to work for you, ensuring every family in our community has the support they need to thrive.
When I look at Hawthorne, I see so much potential, but I also see what is holding our economic development back. Right now, high-quality stores and restaurants look at the lower household incomes in parts of our city and choose to build elsewhere, leaving our commercial corridors lined with empty storefronts. I want to change that. My proposal is to create a vacant-storefront registry that offers real incentives for landlords who lease their spaces quickly. At the same time, I will pair this registry with facade-improvement grants to make our commercial corridors attractive and welcoming once again. Together, we can revitalize these empty spaces, support our local economy, and build the vibrant Hawthorne we all know is possible.
To rebuild our middle class here in Hawthorne, we have to focus on jobs and affordability. I believe that good-paying jobs are the foundation of a strong community. When we strengthen our local workforce, we naturally attract the quality stores and high-end restaurants that Hawthorne has been missing for too long. That is why my plan is to launch a direct workforce partnership with El Camino College and our local employers. Together, we will create paid apprenticeships in growing industries. This means our residents can gain valuable skills and earn good wages right here in our own community. By investing in our people, we can build a stronger, more prosperous Hawthorne for everyone.
When I look at our neighborhoods, I see communities we should all be proud of. But too often, we see bulk items and trash piling up on our streets. I believe this isn't a matter of blame—it is simply a matter of education. Many of our neighbors want to do the right thing but just don't know the pickup schedules or how to request service. That is why I am proposing a practical solution to keep our blocks clean. I will launch a multilingual outreach campaign, sending text and mail reminders directly to residents about bulk-pickup dates. I will also introduce a simple, app-based reporting tool so we can flag illegal dumping block by block. Together, we can keep our community clean and beautiful.
When it comes to keeping our neighborhoods safe, I believe we must build trust and work together. I will collaborate with our local, county, state, and federal partners to make sure our first responders have the equipment and training they need to stay safe. By partnering directly with our Police Chief and unions, we will strengthen community policing through ongoing training focused on inclusion, sensitivity, and understanding our local social dynamics. True safety relies on mutual respect between our police department and our residents. I will insist on accountability and involve our community in policy decisions, while responsibly upgrading technology like cameras and drones. Finally, I believe in second chances, which is why I will support workforce training and job opportunities for returning citizens. Together, we can create a safer, more connected community for everyone.
I believe that a strong community is built on stable housing. That is why I am committed to promoting homeownership and coordinating programs that help our working and middle-class renters buy their own homes. I will continue supporting first-time homebuyer programs, rebuilding and revitalizing our housing, and repairing dilapidated properties. To keep our neighborhoods strong, we will make code enforcement more responsive and hold absentee landlords accountable. For our unhoused residents, I will expand services by partnering with county and federal agencies to fund Tiny Bridge Homes, case management, mental health care, and permanent housing solutions. Together, we can build a stronger foundation for our entire community.
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
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916 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274