With a strong belief in local control over land use decisions, Jim Alger led the fight for his constituents against a large Wal-Mart development. Even though all the zoning was in place, and even though other local elected leaders said there was nothing anyone could do, Alger charged forward. In February of 2006 he won, defeating the world's largest corporation and giving a major victory to local residents. Prior to his election as Council member of a Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, Jim had represented the rights of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ratepayers. He successfully prevented an unjust rate hike by assembling a diverse coalition of community leaders from across the city. This action saved ratepayers nearly $100 million to date and counting. Two Los Angeles Mayors, the City Council, the California State Senate and numerous community organizations have recognized Jim for his leadership. Jim has even been honored as "Outstanding Young Californian" by the California Jaycees. Whether he is fighting attempts by developers to bypass the will of the community such as the attempted Wal-Mart in Northridge, Sunshine Canyon in Granada Hills, Home Depot in Sunland Tujunga, or Las Lomas in Santa Clarita, or flying his personal aircraft stocked with supplies to the Gulf region to coordinate a civilian rescue and relief operation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Jim has shown time and time again that he has the ability to get things done when others either can't or won't. The leadership skills that were recognized when the Mayor of Los Angeles appointed him a Commissioner in 2004, won him the Council Presidency in 2005 and made him a Senator to the LANC Congress in 2006 are the same type of strength and experience that will take Jim to Sacramento. Jim has a history of breaking down barriers that divide, be they geographical, political or otherwise. It is no accident that Jims' recent campaign represents the diversity reflected in the district. From Santa Clarita to Simi Valley to Tujunga and across the political spectrum Jim has built a coalition of commonality that proves there truly is more that unites us than divides. At his core, Jim is guided by the words of John F. Kennedy "...in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's future, and we are all mortal".