Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Culver City

When I ran for City Clerk 6 years ago, I promised that I would run clean and efficient elections, be present at most city council meetings, and bring transparency to city government through a greater use of the website. In each case, I have delivered on my promise and served as the people's connection to the city council.

As I prepare to serve on the City Council, I would like to lay out my Plan for Culver City. Every vote that I take will be based on the following core values. If elected, I promise to continue my record of service to Culver City through the implementation of the following important issues:

OPENING UP CITY GOVERNMENT + The City Council and city staff does the work of the people of Culver City and we work best when city hall is open and receptive to the needs of the community. Through better use of the website, e-mail notification lists, town hall meetings, suggestion boxes, and public notification, I will ensure that people correctly believe that those of us in city hall work for you.

INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS + Too often, the city council is put in the position of choosing between a developer and the nearby residents when trying to evaluate a potential development. The process is just too combative. I propose that for all future city sponsored development projects and projects in need of city council or planning commission approval that a committee of residents and business owners from both that area and throughout the city be formed to work with the developer from the beginning in crafting a project that will be positive for all involved.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY + Our first priority is making sure that all Culver City residents and business owners feel safe and secure in our community. Our police and fire departments do a wonderful job and keep getting better each year. As your representative on the City Council, I will never balance the budget on the backs of our public safety officials. I will also work to make sure that we get the necessary equipment, that it is up to date, and that the Youth Diversion Program, which keeps at-risk youth out of trouble, continues to grow.

SENIORS & YOUTH + The continuation and support for the expansion of programs available for our seniors and youth. Making sure that our Senior Center and Teen Center continues to grow and remain affordable for its members.

LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL + The next logical step from having our own Culver City Dog Park is to have our own Culver City Animal Control Officer. Culver City prides itself on providing superior government services because of our in-house localized staff. We need to extend this tradition to our animal control program by hiring an animal control officer to humanely interact with pets, wild animals, and the community in such areas as animal cleanup, stray pickup, licensing, and community education.

CONTINUING TO MAKE CULVER CITY A DESTINATION + Culver City has become a destination with amazing cultural activities, restaurants, shops, and museums. This not only helps the economy by providing needed revenue, but it also improves the lives of our residents and business owners. I will continue to seek innovative businesses and non-profit organizations to open in Culver City and work on providing public transportation to make them accessible.

GREENING OUR CITY + Culver City has recently been in the forefront of improving the environment. I will continue this trend by increasing the frequency of our recycling program, instituting a green building program to make our developments sustainable, and moving forward on the ballona creek renovation.

MY PLEDGE TO RESPECT EVERYONE + While some issues in our city are controversial, I promise to always interact respectfully with my council colleagues, city staff, and members of the public. I will never insult anyone nor will I make members of the public feel uncomfortable when they come speak to their representatives.