Dr. Saadi's Vision for a Stronger Irvine

I'm passionate about public health and wellness, because it's often not given the attention it deserves. Older adult wellness is a key part of this and it’s everyone's future. As a Senior Citizens Council Commissioner for the City of Irvine, I made history as the youngest adult to be appointed to this position in the city’s history because of my expertise in caring for our older adults and my passion for community engagement. As your city councilmember, I would take steps to further promote older adult wellness, including:

• Promote social engagement opportunities, especially intergenerational activities at older adult living facilities, schools, and community centers.

• Push for low-cost housing options, to ensure older adults can live in the city they spent their lives in, even after they retire.

As a parent, longtime Irvine resident, physician, and academic instructor at UCI’s School of Medicine, I am a strong advocate for community engagement that is inclusive and brings people together. Throughout my career in medicine, I have seen firsthand the impact that social interaction, or lack thereof, has on an individual's happiness, energy, and sense of security. I echo our Surgeon General's 2023 report calling attention to a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connectedness. As your city councilmember, I would:

• Invest in family-friendly programs where residents have the opportunity to engage with one another and strengthen neighborhood bonds.

• Make city council meetings accessible to all and increase town halls to help inform residents, support transparency, and keep city hall accountable.

As a physician, I would be the strongest voice for the environment due to my unique ability to highlight its direct connection to health, especially with my experience of taking care of thousands of people over the years, from all backgrounds and all socioeconomic classes. I look forward to leading environmental wellness in our city's decision making to help reach the goal of a healthier you. As your city councilmember, I would:

• Tackle the climate crisis by ensuring that the city follows through on its comprehensive climate action plan, prioritizing policies to encourage net-neutral carbon emissions, water conservation, and clean energy practices.

• Strengthen the public’s knowledge on composting, recycling, and their associated benefits and resources. With changes in state law, it’s important for residents to have accurate information that’s readily available and easy to understand. 

I believe that we can tackle the housing affordability crisis impacting Californians and Irvine residents by offering different housing options that meet different needs. So people of all age groups, regardless of their stage in life, can feel safe knowing they have living options. This can both help younger adults, older adults, in addition to helping further by helping the city address and prevent homelessness. As your city councilmember, I would:

• Promote resources for first-time homebuyers and increase affordable housing options near transit.

• Work with county, regional, and state agencies as well as non-profits to provide people experiencing homelessness with the resources and support needed to help get off the street and into permanent, supportive housing.

I’m committed to improving commute options for our community by advancing safe bikeways and reliable public transportation. Our city’s overall physical, mental, and spiritual wellness would improve directly by providing effective and accessible transportation options, and simultaneously we can decrease the impact of toxic air pollution.  As your city councilmember, I would: 

• Advocate for incentives for those who carpool, such as lower cost and easier parking options throughout the city

• Promote having frequent public transportation service, efficient ticketing, and aim to make transit a public space.  Making transit stops public spaces that combine art, activities and public infrastructure can make them easier to use.

Irvine is a beautiful and welcoming community that is known for its commitment to public safety. For over a decade, Irvine has been consecutively recognized as one of the safest cities in the U.S. It’s important that we continue to invest in resources that strengthen collaboration between our communities. 

• Maintain a collaborative, open relationship between residents and public safety personnel.