Candidate Profile: Steve Sipe For Mission Viejo City Council

MISSION VIEJO, CA — The 2020 election is heating up in Orange County, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Closer to home, Patch has asked candidates for city council races to discuss their campaigns, publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Running for Mission Viejo City Council:

Steve Sipe

Town/City of Residence

Mission Viejo

Office Sought

Municipal office

Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.

Mission Viejo City Council

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

MV City Council is a non-partisan race

Family

My wife Mary and I have been married for 40 years, and have been homeowners in Mission Viejo since 1991. We have grown children with families, scattered around the country.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

I attended Kettering University in Flint MI, and received a business certification (MDP) from USC.

Occupation

I recently retired as President of Rapid Notify, Inc., after many years of executive experience in the technology industry.

Campaign website

www.stevesipe.Com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

No previous public office, past President of a HOA.

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Values!
While I know this isn’t necessarily under the control of the City Council, and about all we can do is be an example, talk the talk and walk the walk, I believe one of the biggest problems in our country today is the failure of families and schools to teach the Judeo-Christian values on which our country was founded. I believe it is the lack of these values that contributes to the rioting, destruction and crime in many cities across the country. I know that we, as a country, can do better.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My business leadership success has prepared me to be an effective leader on the City Council, and I have the time and experience to devote to public service for the City of Mission Viejo.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I'll leave this to the voters to determine.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My commitment to the residents of Mission Viejo, if elected, in accordance with my conservative values, include:
1. Fiscal responsibility – Will ensure financial expenditures are in the best interests of our community, and protect financial reserves
2. Advocate for and promote traditional family values. I believe one of the biggest problems in our country today is the failure by families and schools to teach the Judeo-Christian values on which our country was founded.
3. I’m a strong supporter of public safety and law and order. Mission Viejo was named by Congressional Quarterly as America’s Safest City in 2007. This should be our goal every year, and I will promote and advocate for safety and security in our community.
4. Advocate for equality and equity for all residents
5. Support our business community and develop programs to attract new business to the community.
6. Support improved city infrastructure and services to better serve our residents
7. Promote personal pride in our community
My near-term objectives include working with law enforcement to stamp out petty theft and vandalism, work with animal control to mitigate the increasing risk of coyote attacks, and advocate for the safe reopening of business and schools.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My business leadership success has prepared me to be an effective leader on the City Council, and I have the time and experience to devote to public service for the City of Mission Viejo.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Leaving Mission Viejo in a better position fiscally then when I was elected, improving the quality of life of our residents, and protecting/increasing the property values in our community.

Why should voters trust you?

My siblings and I were taught to be responsible, accountable, kind, considerate, and accepting of others despite our differences.
I take pride in possessing Christian and family values as well as personal core ethics.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I will work with the other council members to ensure that the expenditures authorized are in the best interest of the entire community, will keep the community safe and clean, and will protect our property values. I believe there are good opportunities for investment in our community that may not necessarily benefit or be desirable to each individual resident, but will benefit the community as a whole. We need to ensure that we communicate these opportunities to the entire community for understanding and transparency. Will also protect our financial reserves so we are prepared for those unseen situations that may arise that demand unbudgeted spending.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

None.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

We were given two ears and one mouth, they should be used in that proportion.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

On a personal level, I was born and raised in a small farm community in Indiana. My parents were kind and loving, active in our church and community, and my siblings and I were taught to be responsible, accountable, kind, considerate, and accepting of others despite our differences.
I have a record of service, and I’m currently an Elder in Mariners Church, I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (commonly known as CASA) for at-risk youth, and I’m a past Board member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Do you have a question you would like to ask the candidate? Do so in comments, or by emailing your Patch Editor.