Being available, communicative, and engaging with residents.
Paying down the City's old debts.
My name is Zachary Collins, and I would be honored to represent you in City Hall as your newest City Councilman! I have lived in the City of Orange my entire life. I completed all my schooling in the City of Orange. I own my business in Orange. My entire life has been spent here, this is my home now and forever. Like many of you, you plan to keep and raise your family here and I would love to ensure that our City is prosperous for you, our children and generations to come.
My history in Orange doesn't start or stop with me. My Grandma and Grandpa moved to Orange in the 60's with my mom. Soon her sisters, my other three aunts, were born and they all grew up here and graduated from El Modena High School participating in extracurricular activities such as competing in the swim team.
Many of you know me and my family. My late mom proudly served on the PTA for many years with her friends at Linda Vista Elementary School. She also served as the lunch supervisor from 2003-2008 and so many of our young adults loved and adored her and always remembered her and called out "Miss Downs" every time they would see her around town.
My grandpa and mom were near and dear to me. Both of them were combat veterans, and they taught me great American military values to live by. My grandpa was a Colonel in the US Marine Corps, while my mother was a Sergeant with the US Army and they both, in their own unique way, taught me the value of being organized, selflessly respect for others, maintaining a proper schedule, and many other traits that I would love to bring into City Government. Both my grandpa and mom lived on strict soldier's salaries and instilled the value of the dollar to me. I have learned how to balance a budget and work with strict limitations and still make ends meet, something every City's budget could use. To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher; "Anyone who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a... city"
I am running to become your next City Councilman. I would be absolutely humbled and honored to represent you in City Hall. We are blessed to live in such a unique City and with that comes with unique challenges to managing it and preserving it for future generations.
So many people are born and raised here such as myself, some relocate to Orange and a vast majority of residents choose to stay. I think that says something great about our City. It's our home! If elected, I promise to be completely accessible at all times. My personal cell phone number is 714-363-2300 and I employ you to call or text at any time throughout the campaign, and continue to do so if I am elected to the Council. You and your neighbors will be welcome into my home, and I will always be here to listen to your viewpoints and what you would like accomplished in our City. I assure you, your voice will be heard in City Hall.
City services, homelessness, developments, traffic, and our fiscal budget are of my utmost priority. Throughout my tenure as Councilman, it will behoove me to keep all residents such as yourself apprised of all issues facing our City and seek your input and guidance on how to proceed moving forward with our future, together.
As an elected official, I will always be a public servant and never a politician. My goal is to maintain an unbiased outlook on issues facing our City, and serve each and every Orange resident equally. Additionally, our City has operating hours but City emergencies do not. If someone backs over a fire hydrant at 3:30 in the morning, or a street lamp goes out on a busy intersection, I want that phone call. I want to help.
Please visit my website www.Collins.vote to learn more, and as always I would love to hear from you! To show your support, please share this letter & my message with your family, friends, and neighbors! Thank you for your consideration and support.