CA Recall Candidate Profile: Meet Heather Collins

Your Name
Heather Collins

Age (as of Election Day)
61

Town of Residence}}
Playa Del Rey

Party Affiliation
Green Party

Family
Son and Daughter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
no

Education
Some College / Cosmetolgy School

Occupation
Cosmetologist/ Business owner 36 years

Campaign Website
GovernorHeather.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office
none

Voters are being asked to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom. Why do you think he should be recalled?
Homelessness is at FEMA level crisis, Over $31 Billion in fraud payments by EDD, Crime is rampant, Under reporting of forest management by 690%, His refusal to end the emergency powers (by CA law is only for 60 days...he has gone over that by over 15 months) , the early release of 75,000 inmates, California has the highest taxes in the country, California kids are out of classes longer than any other state (against CDC guidelines) , California has lost a congressional seat because of the people leaving the state (first time ever!), Businesses leaving California because of over taxing and over regulation.

How does your experience — professional or political — make you the right candidate to replace Newsom?
I have run a successful business and have lifted staff up to be prosperous. I am practical and fiscally conservative, can listen to people's concerns and have great ideas to bring California back to being the Golden State it once was.

What sets you apart from the other candidates for governor?
I am not a career politician and I am not in anyone's pocket. I would do what is right for the State and the people of California.

Describe one of Newsom’s policies or actions that have not worked, and what would you have done differently in the same situation.
Releasing 75,000 prisoners early was a drastic mistake during a pandemic with so many businesses closed (so no jobs available). Crime has surged and with the cities going against the will of the people by not having bail and arrestees were released the same day there is no deterrent to criminals and we are all victimized (we voted to have cash bail in the last election) I would not have released the prisoners early and I would reinstate bail.

Are there any of Gov. Newsom’s policies that you approve of, and if so, why?
No, his policies are not working and even he goes against his own policies.

How would you try to change or influence California’s political culture?
I would try to make it less partisan. I am your Green Party Candidate and I feel like I understand all sides. We need a good balance for people and business, otherwise, we fail as a state.

What is the single most important thing California must do to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you do in your first year to bring that about?
Cancel the Emergency Order — that way we are free of arbitrary restrictions and let people and businesses do what is right for them.

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Go Big or Go Home
• Trust, but verify.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have a great idea for solving the homeless crisis by having people who can not care for themselves put into treatment (closed military bases and hospitals could be easily repurposed for this).

For the others who prefer to remain unhoused, I would like cities to take over or build 8-10 story high parking like structures where the unhoused could be assigned a spot. This would shelter them from the sun and rain and still have good airflow.

They can bring their belongings and pets. They can move with the community they have formed on the street. Just like anyone else, they form their communities that they are comfortable with.

[Project] Roomkey doesn't work because they are moved from their communities and isolated and have a lot of rules.

There would be toilets, showers, laundry, medical aid and a mailing address. Also help getting ID's (many don't have ID's and have no paperwork to replace them), GED's, job training. Security would be provided for residents and surrounding areas.

There could be a floor just for women to make them feel safer. (I learned that when women first experience homelessness, 99% are raped!).

Each floor could have its own "counsel" to deal with minor issues, or to bring them to supervisors.
Organizations that feed and help the homeless would have one central location to go to instead of dispersing all over the city.

Homelessness is not a camp on the beach. It is a harsh and dangerous lifestyle. This is something that could be done quickly and at a much lower cost than building $500,000 per unit apartments that are now being built. The only ones benefiting from that are contractors and supervisors.

I think it is barbaric and inhumane to let people live on the street, parks, beaches and underpasses. It is also an ecological and bio-hazard to the unhoused and the housed.