Priorities

John Strangio’s

Addressing Homelessness

Ukiah has made strides in providing resources to people experiencing homelessness, including the Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center (drop-in services, emergency shelter, referrals) and countywide coordination through the Mendocino County Continuum of Care. But too many individuals remain on the streets without stable housing or support.

I believe our response must combine compassion, treatment, and accountability. We must expand behavioral health services, wraparound case management, and substance-use recovery in partnership with nonprofits and county agencies. At the same time, we need to ensure our neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces remain safe and accessible, working with law enforcement, outreach teams, and social services to resolve encampments humanely and effectively.

I will push for local leadership in homelessness strategy: actively coordinating budgets, funding, and policy with county, state, and nonprofit partners. I will advocate for using state and federal grants, exploring new shelter models (including transitional housing), and enabling on-site supportive housing that integrates services. My goal is a Ukiah where people are helped off the streets, not just pushed around them.

Affordable Housing

Ukiah has already adopted a 2019–2027 Housing Element to comply with state law and address local housing needs. Meanwhile, the broader Ukiah 2040 General Plan is shaping long-term development and land‐use direction. Despite that, many residents still struggle with housing costs, stagnating wages, and limited options for middle-income buyers.

I believe that Ukiah must aggressively increase both affordable housing and market-rate housing, so there’s a “ladder” upward. We should incentivize inclusionary zoning, density bonuses, and creative infill development — while preserving neighborhood character. I will push for streamlining permitting processes (while maintaining safety standards), reducing red tape for small projects, and supporting public–private partnerships to build affordable units.

I also support exploring innovative housing types: accessory dwelling units (ADUs), tiny homes, mixed-use developments, and rehabilitating underutilized parcels. With more options, younger families, essential workers, and long-time residents can remain in Ukiah. I will demand that housing planning be proactive, not reactive — so we build ahead, not catch up.

Supporting Small Businesses

As a local business owner, I know firsthand the challenges of operating in Ukiah — finding customers, navigating regulations, and staying viable in shifting economic times. Too many storefronts sit empty, and entrepreneurs struggle just to break even.

I will work to create a business-friendly environment: reducing unnecessary fees, providing clear regulatory guidance, offering incentives to fill vacant properties, and promoting local procurement. I will support efforts to simplify licensing, encourage façade improvements, and foster marketing programs that drive foot traffic downtown and in our neighborhoods.

By helping small businesses succeed, we strengthen Ukiah’s economic base, increase jobs, and keep more dollars in our community. I will push to partner with local chambers, nonprofits, and educational institutions to support workforce development, mentorship, and access to capital.

Public Safety

Public safety is not just about responding to emergencies — it’s about prevention, trust, and community resilience. Over 20 years in fire service taught me that emergency readiness, clear communication, and solid infrastructure are essential for safety.

I will advocate for strengthened coordination between fire, police, EMS, and social services. We need efficient dispatch, cross‐agency training, and resources for mental health crisis response teams. I’ll also support neighborhood policing models, crime prevention through environmental design, and community education programs to build trust and collaboration.

I will push for investments in infrastructure that supports safety: better street lighting, traffic calming, clear evacuation routes, and improved communication systems. I want Ukiah residents to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their public spaces — day and night.

Managed Growth

Ukiah is growing; the question is how. In 2025, the City proposed a sweeping annexation of unincorporated areas, which drew intense public backlash over transparency, process, and potential impacts. In response to outcry, the city revised its approach, postponing key decisions to broaden community input.

I support responsible, community-centered growth. Annexation should be a tool to coordinate services and infrastructure — not a way to absorb neighborhoods without public consent. I will insist on full transparency, open hearings, and genuine two-way dialogue before any major land-use changes. Growth must come with infrastructure, roads, utilities, and environmental protections.

In collaboration with the Planning Services Division (which implements the 2040 General Plan), I will work to ensure that design standards, density, traffic mitigation, open space, and community character guide all growth. We can welcome new opportunity without losing the heart of Ukiah.

Transparency

Transparency is the foundation of trust. Recent planning processes, especially around annexation, have raised concerns that city leadership moved too fast, lacked clarity, and missed adequate public involvement. That must change.

I commit to open, honest government: publishing meeting materials early, providing plain-language summaries, offering multiple avenues for public feedback, and explaining why decisions are made, not just what they are. No more surprises. I will also push for citizen oversight, regular public reviews, performance metrics, and accountability checks.

I pledge to be accessible to you — in person, online, via email, and at community meetings. I will strive to hold public forums and regular updates to keep the people of Ukiah informed. Transparency isn’t a buzzword, it’s how I believe public service should always be done.