Candidate’s Forum Kiran Rami

Dear Cerritos residents :
I am Kiran Rami. I am a first time candidate among some veterans of city council running for re-election on March 8, 2011. I am a single mother living and raising three young children in this great city of ours since 1994.
I have Master’s Degrees in English as well as Master of Philosophy in English Literature. I am a professor of English at Long Beach City College and Golden West College. I am a former US immigration officer with Department of Homeland Security.
As a proud, well-informed, and community-minded resident I have involved myself in the community by being a coordinator and counselor for Boy Scouts Troop 693, a president of Gonsalves Elementary School Booster Club, and a member of the screening and selection committee for ABC Unified School District and Long Beach City College. I also volunteer at BPSOS Boat People organization to help seniors go through citizenship interviews. I am an advisor for the Medieval Society Club at Long Beach City College and an active member of CTA/NEA.
I am excited by the prospect of serving the residents of this progressive city I dearly love. When elected, I will bring in a fresh new perspective to the city council.
I love the city for the quality of life it offers. I am happy with the general direction of our city’s running. Thus far, our city has done very well. The city’s achievements are many. To name a few: Highly successful number one Auto Mall in the nation, coveted public library, top notch schools, attractive performing art center, senior programs and recreation centers. Thanks to solid revenue stream foundations (Auto Mall, Well-planned Retail Centers) the city’s financial strength and solvency, is perhaps, envy of many cities of its size.
When elected, my approach will not be of “change for the sake of change”; it will be more of review, reassessment, realignment and refinement. While the severe economic downturn brought on by worst recession nationwide, has shaken the core of public administrations at all levels everywhere, Cerritos has come out relatively unscathed. However, I don’t see the stormy clouds of economic downturn going away any time soon. Our state is near broke and the officials are eyeing the local funds. The new governor is proposing abolishing Redevelopment Agencies as one of the measures to close state’s massive budget gap. This and other unpopular measures are sure to pose bigger challenges ahead. My focus, while remaining cognizant of the effect, will be to protect and safeguard city’s programs and services the residents have grown to love. I will resist any compromises to this aim.
In conclusion, I pledge an effective representation that will bring measurable results. I pledge to live up to the expectations of suave voters of Cerritos. Please vote for me (#1 on ballot) on March 8, 2011.