1. Economic Advocacy. Neal has been a sharp-eyed and effective advocate for prudent budget policies and careful budget management. He has been a strong proponent of the view that economics should be the primary driving force in City policy, and he was the principal force behind the economic development strategy adopted by the City. He also proposed the creation of the Economic Development Fund, and consequently Ventura has become perhaps the only city in the State with substantial dedicated funds not restricted to a redevelopment district to promote economic development and a meaningful high quality job generation strategy. As a leader in Council budget policy, he was a major designer of the budget strategy that emphasizes restructuring our expenditures and revenues to achieve stabilized long-term balance in City finances. He was the principal architect as well of the introduction of performance management techniques to City administration, beginning with the employment contract for the City Manager. He was also a chief proponent of protecting local government revenues from continued State piracy and collected more signatures in support of Prop 65 and 1A to defend local funds than any other elected official in Ventura County.

2. Social Equity. Neal has been the chief sponsor and advocate on the City Council for programs for the elderly and disadvantaged in our community. He sponsored the proposal that culminated in the collaboration with Project Understanding to develop a transitional housing project for homeless families. He was also the chief advocate on Council for Prop 63 to support programs for the mentally ill and worked diligently to secure passage of this initiative. He previously served two terms as Chair of the County Mental Health Board and currently serves on the Turning Point Board of Directors. He also has been a chief advocate among City officials for seniors, actively promoting senior programs in healthcare, independent living and economic rights. He has raised extensive private funds to support programs assisting seniors to remain independent and active participants in our community, especially those programs enhancing their ability to continue to “age in place”, thus avoiding the need to be supported through institutional care. Accordingly, he was a chief proponent of specialized housing and transportation programs for seniors in the City General Plan. Neal also played a major role in the successful community dialogues guiding the evacuation and relocation of the homeless community from the Ventura River and the establishment of the privately funded River Haven community project. He has a long history of support and advocacy for healthcare programs for the poor and has been a member of many significant community efforts providing care and sustenance for those in need. He routinely raises substantial private funds for such causes and organizations, and he regularly volunteers in our school system to support service club sponsored leadership and social and academic development programs for under-privileged children. Finally he has been a strong supporter of the continuing effort to develop a veteran’s home in Ventura and has participated for the last several years in the Ventura County Stand Down, providing much needed support for homeless and destitute veterans.

3. Historic Preservation. Neal sponsored the effort to protect historic sites and to celebrate our historic and cultural heritage by taking stronger steps to preserve meaningful historic buildings and landmarks within the city. His efforts led to the adoption of stronger penalties for willful destruction of recognized registered historic sites coupled with tax incentives for voluntary preservation of historic homes and landmarks through local adoption of the Mills Act. He worked with the Chinese-American Association and the Chinese Historical Association to bring the China Alley Commemorative Mural on Figueroa St. into existence and to bring a Chinese cultural celebration to the city. He helped bring the Scottish Highland Games to the City, with more than 10,000 tourists annually traveling to Ventura to celebrate Scots-Irish contributions to Americana. He continues to support enhancing the role of the Historic Preservation Committee in the City planning process.

4. Cultural Arts. Neal was the sponsor of the proposal to facilitate a public-private cooperative venture to develop a cultural arts facility within the city. He was an early proponent of the development of an arts village approach as an integral component of the City’s downtown development efforts. He was one of the earliest advocates for an artist live-work development project, and he was the original sponsor and advocate for an artist-in-residence program to bring internationally recognized artists, writers, musicians, composers and scholars to our community to work in our school system, among our artist community and with our cultural affairs programs to promote Ventura as the leading center of the arts and culture on the central coast.

5. Environmentalism & Water Conservation. Neal was the sponsor of the water conservation initiative to provide for individual water metering for all multi-unit development projects within the City, estimated to save more than 43 million gallons of water annually in the City. He also participated in the statewide committee that drafted the Ahwahnee Water Principles under the auspices of the Local Government Conference, which are the guiding principles for sustainable water resource management for communities across the country. He sponsored the adoption of those principles as the official planning policy guidelines for water use and management by the City, and the City of Ventura was the first community in the country to adopt those guidelines.

TESTIMONIALS

Sometimes the best way to talk about accomplishments is to let others talk for you. The following are quotes gathered over the past four years that reflect Neal\'s work on the Ventura City Council:

“Neal Andrews is the most creative economic mind we have seen on the Ventura City Council in decades.”

Mike McGuire, Bank President

“Your high standards and vast wealth of experience and insight are a remarkable contribution to our assets.”

Rick Cole, Ventura City Manager

“We have no better guardian of the public interest on the Council today.”

Warren Faue

“We deeply appreciate your strong and consistent support for the arts. … Your commitment to our community both spiritually and financially is an exciting role model for others.”

Jordan Laby, Chairman, San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts

“No one on the City Council has done more for senior citizens consistently over the years or stood more strongly for social justice causes than Neal Andrews.”

Carl Morehouse, Deputy Mayor

“Neal Andrews has taught strategic planning and strategic leadership for the Conference Board, the most respected business organization in the United States. What part of expertise do people not get?”

Suz Montgomery of “Schmooze with Suz”

“Your quiet leadership and level head have been an immensely important asset to the people of Ventura.”

Dave Rodriguez, National Vice President, League of United Latin American Citizens,

“Neal has proven he has the vision, courage and ability to get the right things done.”

Bart Bleuel, Former Chair, Ventura Chamber of Commerce

“… a true friend of the environment.”

the late Roma Armbrust, Environmentalist

“There isn’t a more open, honest and straight-forward person on the Ventura City Council.”

Charles Abul-Haj

“… a tough and demanding boss …. but fair and with a surprising sense of humor.”

Rick Cole, City Manager

“Neal is the hardest working member of the City Council I have ever worked with. In four years on the Council he has accomplished more than others with many more years in office.”

Carl Morehouse, Deputy Mayor

“Every candidate says he’ll run the city like a business. The difference is Neal knows how to run it like a successful business.”

Jim Gray, Businessman

“The most important thing is you can trust him.”

Susan Vinson, Former Publisher, Pacific Coast Business Times

“Neal Andrews has been an ally in working to bring law enforcement and the community together to best protect the welfare of some of our most vulnerable individuals. I appreciate his energy, passion and common sense.”

Sheriff Bob Brooks

“Neal Andrews … shares a bond of brotherhood with police, fire and ambulance services personnel that only comes from working together to save lives.”

Captain Brian Gordon, Former President, Ventura Fire Management Association

“I have known Neal for 20 years. He will stand up for our families and children.”

Susan Lacey, Former Ventura County Supervisor

“Neal is one of the most compassionate men I know. He doesn’t just talk. He helps people.”

Maxine Culp, California Senior Assembly, Retired

“If we are moving forward positively on social issues in our community, you can almost bet that Neal is somewhere in there quietly playing a role in it.”

Clyde Reynolds, Executive Director, Turning Point Foundation

“Neal Andrews has expertise and training that are immensely helpful to the Council and the City. He always provides a profoundly thoughtful and insightful perspective on the issues.”

Bill Winfield, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee

"Neal Andrews' strongest commitment has always been to our community's health and safety. Nurses know."

Kay Maloney, RN

"Nurses support efforts to improve the well-being of our community. For years Neal Andrews has been a leading voice for all of us, protecting the public interest in emergency services, environmental health issues and making sure people have the healthcare resources they need. That’s why we support Neal Andrews."

Martina Melero, RN, PHN, MPH, California Nurses Association

"Neal Andrews understands the importance of protecting our natural resources. He was a champion in helping to preserve our hillsides. We enthusiastically support his re-election!"

Diane Underhill, President, Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation