October 9, 2010

SUISUN CITY - Whoever gets on the Suisun City Council will have to find ways to improve that city's economy and to keep up essential city services until the economy starts generating more tax dollars.

Suisun City is well positioned to entice businesses here with a good infrastructure of roads, water and sewer, an available labor pool and a government that will work with the businesses.

'We have demonstrated that for the past four years,' Hudson wrote.

Each of the five people running for two seats on the Suisun City Council said their town has the capability to bring in more business and create jobs for its residents.

But Suisun City has to start thinking regionally, a couple said. Bringing a new business to another Solano County town still means a Suisun City person can get one of the jobs it brings.

The candidates also face how best to keep up essential city services in an economy that is only sluggishly beginning to turn around.

Three of the candidates said the town has a fiscal plan in place that can keep city income and spending balanced for the next three years.

But if that economy doesn't improve, whoever gets on the council has to make the hard decision of what services are the most essential.

Improving the local economy

The right attitude 'is that we welcome all business to our town,' incumbent City Councilman Mike Hudson said.

Suisun City is well positioned to entice businesses here with a good infrastructure of roads, water and sewer, an available labor pool and a government that will work with the businesses.

'We have demonstrated that for the past four years,' Hudson wrote.

The city must use as much of its resources as possible to focus on helping small businesses thrive because they make up the largest part of the city's economy.

Even though Suisun City is landlocked, there are several opportunities for infill development and sites in shopping centers such as the Sunset Shopping Center and the Marina Center that the city can help fill.

He also advocated getting more involved in regional development. While a larger manufacturer in Fairfield may not create a direct tax benefit, Hudson wrote, it will create jobs Suisun City residents can get.

Preserving city services

Public safety is the one area of the budget where the council needs to set a budget threshold it won't go below, he said.

Suisun City's prudently conservative fiscal planning has allowed it to keep a balanced budget that continues the level of city services without layoffs or furloughs, Hudson said.

'If the economy were to continue to founder, Suisun City and our bridging strategy will see us through,' Hudson wrote. 'Worst case scenario, we have a status quo budget for the next three years.'

If it does come to cutting, Hudson's spending priorities are public safety, infrastructure and then business development, he said.

Mike Hudson

Age: 49

Occupation: Small business owner.

Education: Eight years plus college.

Family: Wife, Sandi, sons, Christopher and Joshua Hudson, and Derrick Monahan, and daughter ,Nicole Monahan.

Most Admired person: Abraham Lincoln.

Favorite book: 'The Bible.'

Most interesting fact about me: I served for 10.5 years in the Navy's submarine service and was part of the first Gulf War.

Raised in Southern California, Hudson attended high school and college in Diamond Bar before he joined the Navy in 1981 to learn how to work on computers.

Hudson volunteered for the Navy's submarine service. He served on three submarines and at Cape Canaveral in Florida before he left the service in 1992.

He then started a career as a network engineer and computer consultant with work for businesses such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and Southern Bell.

After moving to Suisun City, he set up his present business, Hudson Business Networks, which was founded shortly after Sept. 11, 2001.

Hudson successfully ran for city council in 2006 and has worked with several different community groups.

Comment

Mark - The fact is Suisun is one of the best fiscally run cities in California. No layoffs, no service cuts, no furloughs and a balanced budget with good reserves. Their streets have been voted most improved in the bay area, crime is down, businesses are moving in, new library, downtown is great, police at full staff, after school programs in all the schools. Why mess with whats working? The three incumbents have been doing a terrific job.

By Ian Thompson - DAILY REPUBLIC