Irvine City Council District 3
Our Neighbors For 27 Years
MEET TOM
After earning a degree in Urban Planning from Indiana University, I was captivated by California's stunning landscapes and diverse communities in the mid-1980s. My career began in urban planning, but my passion for engaging with people soon led me to a fulfilling career in technology sales. Over the last thirty years, including 21 years at Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company of America, I've honed my skills in building relationships and serving customers with dedication.
Now, I'm running for City Council in District 3 to bring both of my passions—urban planning and customer service—to serve the residents of Irvine. My commitment is to represent our community with honesty, integrity, competence, and genuine care. As your City Council member, I promise to prioritize the needs of Irvine residents over politics as usual.
Together, we can make Irvine an even better place to live for everyone.
VISION &
PRIORITIES
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Support the Veterans Memorial Park in the Great Park
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Hold the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) Accountable
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Remodel the dilapidated Heritage Park Library – Its time for an update & expansion.
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We have closed the All-American Asphalt Plant
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Advocate for District Elections – We won in 2024!
Priorities
Support the Veterans Memorial Park in the Great Park
In 2019, I learned from a trusted commercial property appraiser that Irvine's City Council planned to swap 125 acres designated for a Veterans Park at the former El Toro Marine base for less desirable land, leading to a poor financial deal for Irvine taxpayers. Motivated to protect this land, I spearheaded a campaign with over 150 volunteers to collect nearly 20,000 signatures to re-zone the original site for a Veterans Park, culminating in a successful city council vote in 2020 to approve the plan. With a recent approval to commence the development of a 20-acre Memorial Park and botanical gardens on this historic site, I am now running for Irvine City Council in District 3 to continue advocating for Veterans and to ensure that city deals benefit residents, not just developers.
In 1990, I was fortunate enough to marry Jeannine, my extraordinary partner in life. Together, we’ve raised three wonderful children in Irvine, embedding ourselves in the fabric of this community for over 27 years. Our family’s commitment to service has been evident through active involvement in local organizations like Pony Baseball, Irvine Swim League, AYSO Soccer, Irvine High School Boosters, and the Greentree Homeowners Association.
As a prospective City Council member for District 3, I am dedicated to representing the diverse voices of Irvine with a spirit of integrity, honesty, and genuine concern. My approach is simple: to always place the well-being and aspirations of Irvine residents above all else, a contrast to the status quo in local politics. Together, we will forge a path that honors the values and addresses the needs of every community member.
Family
Hold the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) Accountable
Mayor Khan championed the OCPA initiative with the promise of sustainable, cost-effective power. However, three years in, Irvine's commitment has translated into over $7.7 million of our taxpayer dollars spent—a financial burden not shared by the other five Orange County cities. It's becoming clear that municipal electricity isn't our city's forte, particularly as our neighbors seem to have stepped back from the concept. My stance is firm: let's allow experienced entities like Southern California Edison to handle our electricity needs, ensuring that Irvine's investments are both prudent and beneficial to our residents.
Remodel the dilapidated Heritage Park Library – Its time for an update & expansion
On my recent visit to Heritage Park Library, where generations of our children have learned and grown, I was taken aback by the visibly aging and worn interior of what is reportedly the busiest library in the Orange County system. This revelation reinforces my belief that it's time for Irvine to reclaim and independently manage our local libraries. By doing so, we can better serve the families of District 3 and ensure that our community's educational resources meet the standards our children deserve, now and in the future. Let's invest in a legacy that upholds our commitment to learning and literacy for generations to come.
We have closed the All-American Asphalt Plant
Decades ago, an asphalt plant was established at the northern edge of Irvine, near Northwood High School. Since the early 1990s, thousands of homes have been constructed nearby, and the development continues. The emissions from this plant are a health hazard to Irvine residents—a concern that, until recently, has been largely ignored by the City Council in a disheartening 4-1 majority vote, demonstrating what I term as the "Do Nothing Majority" under Mayor Khan's lead. Thankfully, progress has been made with the City Council's April 2024 agreement with the Irvine Company, securing funds for the plant's removal and paving the way for the new 700-acre Gateway Preserve that will enhance the quality of life for the community of North Irvine.
Advocate for District Elections – We won in 2024!
Irvine, our world-class city with a population now exceeding 315,000, is at a crossroads that calls for a more representative and responsive governance structure, similar to those found in other leading metropolises. It's time to consider viable options, such as establishing six districts, each representing approximately 50,000 residents. This structure would ensure that while the Mayor maintains a citywide vision, each district would have a dedicated council member intimately focused on its unique needs, thus amplifying every resident's voice in our community’s future.
Irvine's shift to district-based City Council elections guarantees that each sector of the city is directly represented, enhancing representation and accountability. This ensures Irvine's specific concerns are more effectively voiced and addressed.
Irvine Districting 2024 District 3 Includes (Partial List): College Park, The Colony, Columbus Grove, The Groves, Deerfield, The Meadows, El Camino, The Ranch, Greentree, The Willows, Harvard Square, Walnut Square, Orchard Mills, Heritage Grove, Westpark Il, Heritage Park, Windwood, Irvine Groves, Northwood, Park Lane, Smoketree.
To find out which district you're in, click on the provided interactive map link and enter your address in the search bar. If you find you're in District 3, I'm eager to represent you and advocate for our community's needs!