Today, I officially declared my candidacy for the Mayor of Fresno.  I have decided to run for Mayor because I believe so strongly in our city's potential.   Fresno is at a tipping point - a lot of things are headed in the right direction.  Our population is growing, the economy is diversifying, crime rates are down, investments in downtown are increasing.  People who left Fresno to go to school and pursue careers elsehwere are choosing to move back even though they could live anywhere.  There is a positive "buzz" in this community that is almost tangible.  However, we've got some extremely tough challenges to address if we are going to become a thriving city - concentrated poverty, gang activity, low education rates, distressed neighborhoods, some of the worst air quality in the nation, and major infrastructure requirements.  The next mayor will determine whether Fresno tips forward and gets a handle on some of these issues that have burdened us for the last 30 years, or whether we tip backward and lose the positive momentum that has developed over the last several years.  I see the window of opportunity and am determined that as Mayor of Fresno, we will "tip forward" and realize our full potential as a city!