Jane Parker is a leader who brings a proactive focus to planning and a collaborative, pragmatic approach to problem solving. Her service on county-wide boards and as a senior executive at nonprofit organizations gives her the expertise and perspective we need to make smart budget decisions and make Monterey County strong today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

Here is more information about Jane Parker's views on the issues that we face in our communities.

Education

Many school districts in Monterey County face increasing class sizes, deep budget cuts, declining test scores, higher than acceptable dropout rates, and high rates of teen pregnancy. We must address the causes of these problems to give our children the bright futures they deserve. The Board of Supervisors can have an important impact on the quality of education in our county, if individual Supervisors are willing to exercise leadership. Through my work with the Pathways to Safety program at the ACTION Council, I have seen how effective it can be to bring together community stakeholders—businesses, nonprofits, schools, colleges and anti-gang, youth development and after school program providers—to create activities at school sites to support academic success. Read in full...

Budget

The people of Monterey County are at risk of being hurt once again by a budget crisis. In light of looming budget cuts services and jobs in our county, we must be very strategic in order to maximize cost savings, increase revenue opportunities and improve effectiveness. I have owned my own business, worked with large, complex budgets and have spent over ten years in nonprofit organizations which are known for providing services AND stretching a dollar! Read in full...

Transportation

Our roads are in trouble. Traffic service levels, mandated by the existing General Plan to be at “C” or better, have been at levels “D” and “F” in key areas of the county for several years. Further, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), the multi-jurisdictional agency charged with regional transportation planning, coordination and implementation, projects a $1.5 BILLION shortfall for road improvement and maintenance over the next 20 years. This is of particular concern in a county that relies on the efficient transportation of agricultural produce and tourists for its economic vitality. Read in full...

The General Plan (GPU5)

After nearly eight years and $8 million, much contention, expensive lawsuits, referenda and a special election, Monterey County has a compromise General Plan draft called GPU5. The policy language of the current plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors on November 6th, 2007. I support moving forward with GPU5 and fostering the spirit of compromise it represents. Read in full....

Natividad Medical Center

Like communities all across the United States, Monterey County is struggling to provide adequate healthcare. Monterey County’s two largest industries are agriculture and hospitality. Most of the employers in these industries do not provide health care benefits for the majority of their workers. These industries provide direct and indirect economic benefits throughout the county, benefits that could not be realized without the efforts of the workers in these industries; and we have a moral obligation to ensure their access to the health services they need and deserve. Read in full...

Preventing Gang Violence

Youth and gang violence are serious issues facing Monterey County. I believe that the Board of Supervisors has a responsibility to address violence of any kind in our community with a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach that utilizes proven best practices. There is much agreement among those who have worked to quell gang violence in the last 10 to 20 years about what works: a combination of suppression, intervention and prevention SUSTAINED OVER TIME. I support this multi-pronged approach. Read in full...

Affordable Housing

The median price of a home in Monterey County is still over $600,000. Nearly 90% of county residents cannot afford to buy a house at this price. Advocacy for affordable housing has always been a priority for me. Not only is affordable housing an issue of social justice, it is a critical component of economic well-being for every local business or organization that hopes to recruit and retain employees. My experience at Monterey Peninsula College and Planned Parenthood strengthened my understanding of the challenges faced by teachers, nurses and other working people to own their own homes. Read in full...