Stites: Kari Windes is the Leader Brea Needs

Friends,

Kari Windes is a leader that will listen and protect the citizens of Brea. How do I know this? Because she's already doing it. 

Kari Windes and I are part of a volunteer group that talked with the City of Brea about the safety dangers of a Raising Cane’s drive-thru in Gaslight Square, 30' across from Laurel Elementary's front yard. In 2021, we were forced to bring a lawsuit against the City of Brea and Raising Cane’s. Basically, we said the people in Brea's government - ultimately Brea's City Council - were not following their own rules. It was a lot of hard work and the good news is, we won because Raising Cane’s withdrew. What still astounds me is that 3 members of the Brea City Council did not recognize the danger, especially to children walking around Laurel. Two of these council members are running for re-election. 

Now look at Kari Windes. While the librarian at Laurel, she filed the initial appeal when Raising Cane’s was approved by Brea's Planning Commission. Kari is also a founding member of SAFE (Safer Avenues For Everyone); it is a nonprofit to protect our community. It's really not what she, or any of us planned to do, but when we heard these plans, we knew this would be unsafe for our community. Kari talked with her community members and she took action. 

Kari is a leader, taking care of the community. Kari takes physical safety and fiscal responsibility seriously. Kari is still watching out for the community of Brea. Right now with Gaslight Square, Kari and members of SAFE are talking with Brea City staff because the owners have filed a new application for a general plan and zoning change. These generic plans would allow construction of a drive-thru restaurant, another restaurant and another retail or medical space. Just as before, the new drive thru will be literally 30' across from Laurel's Elementary Magnet School's front yard. 

Let her protect the community by being on Brea City Council. Vote for Kari Windes. 

Sincerely,

Diane Stites

Diane Stites is a founding member of SAFE (Safer Avenues For Everyone), a member of the Laurel Elementary Magnet School PTO, and active volunteer in the Brea community.