Mario is working to ensure that we create healthy neighborhoods and communities. That means, increasing walkability (that is, safe walking for pedestrians) and with amenities that are within walking distance of homes in North Redlands. It also includes access to regular and affordable public transportation, to reduce expensive car dependency. Furthermore, that means maintaining safe and family-friendly green spaces for residents to use. He has been involved with Safe Routes for Schools, a redevelopment project which aimed to address blight in our city. He served as the lead on a $3.5 million Neighborhood Grant Program with provided funds to 350 homes on the North Side to help them improve their properties. The NGP additionally used local vendors for these projects, thus supporting Redlands’ businesses and workers.
Mario has also worked on policy initiatives which have addressed under-age drinking, the sale of synthetic drugs at smoke shops, teen vaping, the dangers of second-hand smoke, and aiming to decrease calls for service caused by fights and even a shooting related to parties with excessive alcohol use.
Mario was involved in another initiative which encouraged North Side neighborhoods which were struggling with burnt-out streetlights, overgrown trees, and furniture left out on the curb, to learn more about what they could do to claim ownership over their own communities and how to partner with the City to address the services which were not being performed.