Particularly, Wirick feels residents in the hillside areas deserve a voice on the council. "I don't think the hillside people have been heard from directly in the past. This section of town deserves a voice."
Hillside preservation is something the retired IRS agent believes should be given greater emphasis. "It has been a pressing issue since the landslide in the San Marco subdivision last summer. Hillside development on unstable land is dangerous if not properly performed," he said.
Wirick, 61, has lived in Pittsburg for 17 years. He briefly taught school in Indiana, spent four years in the Navy during the Vietnam War and another 31 years with the Internal Revenue Service. He also has a law degree from John F. Kennedy University.
Despite losing his first bid for a council seat two years ago, Wirick has continued to remain active through his service on the city's Community Advisory Commission, representing the city on the Citizen Advisory Committee of the county Transportation Authority, and serving as an appointed alternate to the board of directors of Tri Delta Transit.
When he first decided to run for the council this year, only the incumbents had announced their plans to seek re-election in the Nov. 7 election, Wirick said.
"I love a good fight and I didn't want them (the three incumbents) to become complacent and not run unchallenged, so I entered," he said.
As to his "fresh perspective," Wirick acknowledged that "we all feel we have fresh perspectives."
"Given my experience in the IRS and the type of work I've had to do in over 30 years, I've always been a very careful listener. If anyone had any problems, I would listen and give it a considered judgment and find answers," he said.
He also said he wanted to continue existing plans to develop a shipping port at the city waterfront as an alternative to Oakland and San Francisco.
If elected, Wirick would push for more police officers. "We are blessed with a lower crime rate where I live than in the older sections of town. Nevertheless, crime happens out here. Take auto accidents. If all the officers are tied up on priority calls, no one can get to a lower priority and it might be hours at best before an officer shows."
An answer to the crime problem might be expanded youth programs. Wirick has no specific programs but recommended getting parents and city officials together to develop ideas revolving around education, employment and recreation.
He would involve parents by notifying all the pastors in town of the intent to establish such a forum. "It wouldn't cover all of the city, but it would be a good start."
Wirick said he would not change any existing programs that the incumbent council has created, nor would he scuttle any projects. "I want to assure voters that whatever projects are in place, I want to see them accomplished."
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