Mayoral candidate passionate about Rio Vista growth

RIO VISTA — Councilwoman Janith Norman spent the past four years working with a community she said she loves deeply.

Norman has gotten to know the community on a deeper level, acting as a voice for the people of Rio Vista, she said. Norman wants to continue to be that voice for the next four years as the city’s mayor.

She faces Norman Richardson in the Nov. 6 mayoral election.

“I feel compelled to continue, to move our city in the right direction,” she said.

Norman said Rio Vista is treated as an afterthought in Solano County. She said she is determined to change that image and make the town the jewel of the county.

Achieving that goal will not only require hard work, but plenty of creativity and passion, which she said she has.

Norman’s campaign platform is focused on creating a vital community and economy. She said she will work hard to balance the budget and also increase revenue through business opportunity.

One idea to revitalize the economy is to bring an expanded medical facility to Rio Vista. The facility would serve the needs of an aging population, as well as decrease the use of the Fire Department for medical calls.

A facility would also attract a variety of new businesses to the area, such as floral shops or new eateries, she said. It could also create job opportunities and internships for local youth.

If a full facility isn’t an immediate reality, Norman said she is already working with the county’s Public Health Department to bring its services to Rio Vista.

In her four years as councilwoman, Norman said she strived to engage the community with activities that highlight everything the town has to offer. The first Slow Food Solano Festival and Senior Summit are two examples of community events that not only attracted residents, but outside businesses and visitors as well, she said.

These projects are minor, but Norman said they’re what holds the community together.

Ideas such as the medical facility, the Army base project and community events are some of the ways Norman said she plans to revitalize the city. That plus community engagement, government transparency and communication are ways Norman said she plans to move Rio Vista forward.

As mayor, Norman said she would change the direction of the city for the better.

“This is (the constituents’) opportunity to break the cycle,” she said. “Take a chance on Janith.”

Reach Heather Ah San at 427-6977 or hahsan@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HeatherMalia.

Heather Ah San

Heather Ah San covers Rio Vista, features and general news for the Daily Republic. She received her bachelors of art degree from the University of Oregon.

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