Below is a listing of what I think are the major issues facing Tracy. If you have any comments, would like to talk to me about anything listed here or if you feel I’ve missed something, don't hesitate to call me at (209) 835-0270 or pete@mitracos.com.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
There was a time that very few people commuted to jobs outside Tracy. In the last 15 years our population has more than doubled. We have not doubled the number of jobs here in town. It is time that we add quality jobs that match the experience and capabilities of our citizens. Also, let’s not forget our downtown. I support the improvements to downtown that have just begun. We will reap significant dividends from our investment in downtown.

TRANSPORTATION
Tracy is a crossroads. We were born as the intersection of two railroad lines. Tracy is still a crossroads defined by a triangle of surrounding freeways. Expansion of 205 remains the top transportation priority for Tracy. This project has been delayed for years. Although we remain at the mercy of Cal Trans, the City Council must redouble its efforts to get this project done.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT
There are many things that make a town a community and enrich it in non-monetary ways, but most have a monetary cost. Meeting the city budget and providing these services is a challenge all cities face.

GROWTH
Growth is inevitable, but we must insist on quality. The discussion in Tracy for the last few years has centered on the rate of growth. The quality of what is built will affect us long after we’ve forgotten how fast it was built.

AGRICULTURE PROTECTION/COMMUNITY SEPARATORS
I was raised in Tracy. I would rather not see Tracy, Manteca, Lathrop, and Stockton grow into each other. I realize that it wouldn’t be the end of the world. The San Francisco peninsula and the East Bay have thrived as their towns grew together. With the use of agricultural easements we can strategically purchase development rights that create buffers with neighboring towns while allowing farmland to continue producing.