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Ayn Craciun, Irvine City Council District 4 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

October 5, 2024

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Ayn Craciun

Current job title: OC Policy Director

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Chair, City of Irvine Sustainability Commission

City where you reside: Irvine

Campaign website or social media: Ayn4Irvine.com

Irvine is in the process of its first major general plan update in well over a decade. Since Irvine has traditionally been a master-planned community, what is your vision for the city as it continues to grow? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

My vision for Irvine is a safe, sustainable city where kids can walk or bike to school and every neighborhood enjoys clean air, water, parks and essential amenities within easy reach. We’ll prioritize access to open spaces and ensure neighborhoods offer daily necessities nearby, reducing traffic and fostering community.

Irvine’s growing workforce demands improved transit options like trains and shuttles, along with workforce housing to shorten commutes and take cars off the road. We must also address the housing shortage, making homes affordable for families, teachers, nurses, firefighters and young people.

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Lowering housing costs can transform the lives and futures of families. Those who live in reasonably priced homes tend to earn more over their lifetime, live longer and have children who perform better in school.

Irvine should encourage developers to build more small homes and condos for sale rather than rental apartments. This would help families establish economic stability, strengthen communities and give future generations the chance to achieve the American dream by owning a home in Irvine.

The housing crisis is largely driven by car-centric policies. I will promote transit-oriented development in the Irvine Spectrum and Irvine Business Complex with mixed-use designs, placing most amenities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This will help provide more workforce housing while minimizing traffic impacts for current residents. Additionally, I will expand transit routes to and from UC Irvine and Irvine Valley College to better support students in achieving their educational goals.

Irvine has a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. That will take a lot of city outreach to accomplish. Where does climate change fall in your list of priorities? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

According to the American Medical Association and the U.S. Department of Defense, climate change is a major threat to human health and safety, and it is a top priority for me. Irvine residents value science and want climate action. However, we need to be realistic. Because of Irvine’s delayed climate efforts, Irvine cannot achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, but we can and should work to reduce pollution swiftly.

I will focus on practical steps to reduce traffic, enhance safety and improve quality of life. Although Irvine has more electric vehicles than most of Orange County, our public EV charging infrastructure lags behind. I plan to expand charging stations, especially near apartments, and create programs to help residents replace inefficient appliances.

Many Irvine streets lack sidewalks, and our bike and pedestrian networks have significant gaps. I will prioritize fixing these issues. Additionally, I will ensure new neighborhoods are designed with schools, shopping and parks within walking or biking distance, and I will support school bus transportation for areas that are too far for students to walk or bike.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Housing affordability: Many lifelong residents and workers in Irvine are being priced out of the housing market. The city should prioritize building more starter homes and condos for sale, rather than apartments, to give people an opportunity to own property and achieve the American dream.

Traffic safety: Car crashes are the leading cause of non-disease-related injury and death in Irvine. Last year’s city budget projected that 37 people would be killed or seriously injured annually in crashes, a number projected to rise to 55 this year. Children are at higher risk than adults. Cities that have improved intersections and added protected bike lanes have achieved zero traffic deaths. Irvine should implement these proven strategies to curb speeding and increase safety for everyone.

Safe routes to school: Many newer neighborhoods are far from their designated schools, leading to more traffic and congestion. Irvine must ensure safe and accessible routes to school for all students across all grade levels.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I am running for Irvine City Council to bring community-centered solutions that improve the lives of our families and ensure city resources serve residents, not special interests. My top priorities are community health and safety, and I will maintain an open-door policy to stay connected with residents.

I am the only candidate in this race who has never accepted campaign contributions from special interests with business before the city. As a volunteer, I have successfully led efforts to implement Irvine’s non-toxic landscaping policy and a school bus pilot for University High School.

Orange County ranks last among all 58 California counties in per-capita state funding, largely because many cities have not pursued available funding programs. I believe Irvine residents deserve to see more of their hard-earned tax dollars invested in our community. As a nonprofit director, I have a unique understanding of state funding programs and how to secure the resources our community deserves.

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Ayn Craciun, Irvine City Council District 4 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

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