Delivering for Irvine
"I led efforts toward finally getting the Orange County Great Park built and I've reviewed and worked to improve policies to ensure development in Irvine is responsible and managed. I roll up my sleeves every day, working hard to maintain and enhance the quality of life we enjoy in this city by supporting our schools, our police, and keeping us moving on our streets and roadways ... "
- Anthony Kuo, former Irvine Vice Mayor
How has Anthony Kuo helped Irvine?
Keeping Irvine Safe
As a Councilman, I consistently led the discussion on public safety in Irvine. Public safety is always top of mind for me. I will not let the increase of crime that has run rampant in neighboring cities and counties to grow here. That's why I've worked with, and will continue to work with local police and first responders to keep Irvine neighborhoods safe. I will continue to tackle issues important to our community like e-bike regulation, package theft, retail crime, and street racing.
From Irvine's Schools,
FOR Irvine's Schools
As the first elected representative in Irvine to have grown up in Irvine, I'm also the first to have attended and graduated from Irvine's public schools. As a Councilmember, I served on both the Irvine Unified School District and Tustin Unified School District's Liaison Committees. As an active PTA member, I've also enjoyed supporting students and public school programs in athletics, performing arts, visual arts, and STEM fields.
Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft
Under my leadership, the City Council worked with the Police Department to strengthen local ordinances and giving our Officers better tools to arrest catalytic converter theft suspects. I convened Irvine's auto dealers to establish a partnership providing free etching services to drivers, and even shared our model ordinance's language with neighboring cities.
Taxpayer Advocacy
I will take a fine toothed comb to Irvine's finances to root out fraud, waste, and abuse because Irvine Taxpayers deserve to have their hard-earned dollars spent efficiently. I've held the line to ensure Irvine residents get the high quality of service from City Hall we expect, and deserve. During my time as a Councilmember, my User Utility Tax rebate initiative returned nearly $5M to local taxpayers. I want to make sure that every dollar that City Hall spends is spent effectively.
Fire Safety
In 2020, Irvine experienced one of the worst fire emergencies in our city's history, with nearly one third of our residents temporarily evacuated. As Irvine's representative to the OCFA Board, I increased opportunities for the public to engage with firefighters and fire safety professionals, including hosting Wildfire Prevention presentations and Smoke Detector education programs. I want to make sure the public funds allocated for fire protection are spent efficiently on behalf of Irvine Taxpayers.
Supporting Local Youth Sports
I've long been a supporter of local youth and high school sports and I'll continue to partner with sports booster clubs throughout our community. As one part of the City's COVID response, I spearheaded the Council's decision to waive field and rental fees for youth sports teams who didn't get to play for a number of seasons!
Traffic Safety
I will continue to prioritize investments in traffic management, especially the synchronization of our traffic signals. And, I will take the discussions I've had with parents and Irvine crossing guards to promote pedestrian safety. As an avid walker, cyclist, and even driver, the City needs to ensure that the needs of all those who travel are being met.
Affordable Housing
Housing and the cost of living in Irvine are expensive. I will continue to work with the Irvine Community Land Trust and other agencies to make sure people aren't falling through the cracks. As someone who slept on a living room floor for part of my childhood, I understand what housing insecurity feels like. As President of the Irvine Community Land Trust, I worked to create and manage a spectrum of affordable housing in the Irvine, the city with the largest number of affordable housing units in Orange County. On the Land Trust, I successfully worked with federal officials and regulators to allow for more streamlined financing of affordable housing in Irvine and more broadly, in California.
A Healthy Community
I wasn't born in Irvine, because we didn't have a hospital here yet. Since then, City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital, Hoag Hospital , Kaiser Permanente, and UC Irvine Medical Center, have expanded here with unprecedented private investments in regionally serving health-care. We must continue to partner with health care professionals and advocates to promote a healthy community and expand active lifestyle opportunities.
Regional Leadership
I've spent decades working hand-in-hand with elected representatives and community organizations throughout Orange County and Southern California to get good things done for Irvine. I represented Irvine on the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors where I served as Vice Chair. I also served on the Board of the Orange County Sanitation District and the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Committee.