Tahirkheli throws hat in ring for Lodi City Council
Mushtaq Tahirkheli has thrown his hat in the ring for Lodi City Council. He decided to run for office because he said he wanted to work for the people of Lodi no matter their race, gender, background, ethnicity, class or religion.
If elected to the council, Tahirkheli said he has several goals he would like to accomplish, including:
• Working to create more jobs and reduce high bills in the city.
• Securing local discounts for senior citizens, veterans, single parents, teachers, the fire brigade and law enforcement employees.
• Bringing a college or technical institute to Lodi.
• Getting new computers and updating books for more advanced students in the Lodi Public Library.
• Protecting and helping minorities, as well as fighting for women’s rights.
• Setting a limit on the number of years people can serve on the council.
• Holding direct elections for mayor in Lodi.
He’d also like to tackle the issue of homelessness and work with fellow council members to find a solution.
“It’s not an easy problem and it’s not a day-time problem, where one day you blink your eyes and when you open them the problem will be solved,” he said.
Tahirkheli is also against installing parking meters in Downtown Lodi.
“It’s a burden for the people. I’m not in favor of parking meters,” he said.
When asked what ideas he had for improving the Heritage District and other low-income areas, he suggested encouraging more factories to come to Lodi and bringing a college or technical institute to Lodi. Tahirkheli said more factories would bring more job opportunities, and bringing in a college or technical institute would create more opportunities for Lodians to receive higher education or employment training.
Tahirkheli has lived in Lodi for 40 years and is currently retired. He graduated from the University of Karachi in Pakistan with a bachelor’s degree in business and plans to get his certified public accountant license. Last year he worked as a volunteer in Stockton preparing taxes, a service he hopes to one day bring to the people of Lodi. He has never held a public office or served on any public board.