Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Culver City

A nearly 25-year resident of Culver City, Jeff Cooper is a businessman and a community leader with a track record of fighting for Culver City's neighborhoods.

As mayor, he led the charge to fight the dangerous practice of fracking, encouraging the State of California to put a moratorium on fracking until it develops guidelines that guarantee safety for our residents. Jeff took a leadership role in creating the city's ban on single-use plastic bags. He helped lead the effort to create Tilden Terrace + a mixed-use and affordable housing project that, for the first time, allowed Culver City to fulfill its affordable housing requirement. He led the City Council effort to institute new measures to reduce cut-through traffic in Sunkist Park.

Jeff has spearheaded the effort to eliminate bullying on our parks and playgrounds and has worked hard to promote public safety, protect the environment and make sure City Hall listens when residents speak.

Jeff voted to reduce the City Council's own medical benefits, eliminating the decades-old policy of providing lifetime benefits to council members. He joined his fellow City Council members in renegotiating contracts with all city unions to reduce benefits and pensions + a move that saved our city millions of dollars at a time when every penny counts.

Jeff believes that the City should make public safety a top priority and joined the City in unveiling the State of California's first Smart911 system + a technology that allows residents to give authorities a "safety profile" that will be displayed to 911 operators during an emergency.

Jeff has been a champion for the environment, pushing the city to continue its commitment to compressed natural gas (CNG) for our transportation fleet, redesign its fleet utilization and replacement program and earn the ranking as the No. 1 municipal transportation fleet in the country.

But there is still much more to accomplish. That is why Jeff is running for re-election to the Culver City Council in April, 2014. "I want to continue the fight to protect our quality of life," he said. "I want to assure that our city remains on firm financial footing. I want to enhance our efforts to protect our vital resources and create new jobs to fuel our economy. I know that working together, we can continue to make a positive difference in the way Culver City government works for you."

Jeff and his wife, Rafia, raised their daughters in Culver City. Jeff is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. He has worked in advertising, was a successful owner of a medical equipment business in Culver City, and is now a Mortgage Banker with Wells Fargo Bank.

As a member of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission for 10 years, Jeff was involved with the opening of the Senior Center and Teen Center. He was and continues to be dedicated to our parks, and as a member of the Commission, he worked hard to make them safe and beautiful for all to enjoy.

Jeff's community involvement is extensive. As a Board Member and Past President of the Exchange Club of Culver City, he has donated many hours of his time to worthy projects such as the 4th of July Fireworks and "Cruisin' Back to Culver City" Car Show as the producer. Jeff volunteers with the Senior Center's Home Delivered Meal Program by delivering meals to our home-bound residents. He has also volunteered at the Senior Center's Annual Holiday Party and the Exchange Club's Disability Awareness Carnival.

Jeff is also one of the founding members of the Friends of the Culver City Dog Park, a grass roots organization that raised the funds necessary to build the dog park, fondly known as "The Boneyard." He also led the effort to successfully move the skate park to its current location, saving needed green space in Culver City Park.