By Brett Callwood
Aimee Yamada is one of two non-incumbents on the ballot for City Council. The founder of Isami Taiko (Japanese drums) at Gardena Buddhist Church, Yamada is a long-time PTA member and PTSA board secretary. She told the GVN about her platform…
As a non-incumbent, what do you think you can add to the current council that isn’t there right now?
I would be able to add and be a good team member by helping connect to the citizens on a personal level as a strong liaison to the their issues, being able to help them be active. We can resolve things and strengthen this area, and have the residents feel they can feel comfortable to join as one and resolve their issues at hand as strong team members and be heard. We can grow stronger together as one.
What are you promising?
It is important to work with the council on public safety always, and continued upkeep of our city streets. Make sure that they are being maintained nicely and to incorporate safe bike paths for residents, and continue strong relationships with our police and fire department which is very Important. It is important for the city of Gardena’s future to decide wisely how future buildings will be incorporated. I see this is a very important issue moving forward as Gardena has been growing quite rapidly in the last few years. It will be our job to keep Gardena a loving community by continuing to pay key attention to where and how housing and businesses will be incorporated for the next few decades to come. It will be a priority of all of our citizens to realize the importance of how we plan to grow and in which ways that will be the best decisions for our community.
Should you be successful, what is your first priority?
I have been able to enjoy living in Gardena for 63 years with all of our wonderful neighbors, family and friends and teach the youth in our dear community. That is why I feel it is our responsibility to continue this nice livelihood by being serious and responsible about how we plan to build and grow for our future generations Our buildings, type of wholesome business we incorporate and the placement there of, especially. I would like to work with the council on this priority.
How do you assess the performance of the current city council over the past couple of years?
It has been a pleasure to meet the current council at council meetings and the two nice forums. They are loving, good people who care deeply about Gardena and our dear city. We all care and try ourbBest. We need to continue to work hard to keep Gardena our All- American city that we love.
Gardena residents should vote for you because…
When you love and care, you need to try hard and become involved, and make a marked difference. If I am fortunate to receive your vote, it is as if you are voting for yourself because I am one of all of you and would like to serve together with everyone on the council and work with everyone to keep the city of Gardena beautiful, happy and strong.
