This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 3, 2015 Election
Smart Voter

Mike Schaefer
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 4

[photo]
 
[line]

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles today? As Council Member, what would you do to deal with it?

Protecting us from abuses by the City, such as Parking: both amount of fines, issuing citations where it is not a clear violation, refusing 50% early-pay discounts some other cities offer, refusing to coordinate Registration Status with DMV computer forcing towed-car citizens to have to return to vehicle to obtain proof but not get car-release. The Council ignores the many small pictures affecting us daily, focusing only on the big picture.

2. The City Administrative Officer has estimated a $300 million budget shortfall for 2015-2016. What steps do you propose to deal with this problem and how much do you estimate each step would reduce the shortfall?

The big picture is our $30 billion shortfall in underfunded pensions, deferred public works as well as the estimated annual budget shortfalls just ahead during my four year term. We need to consult with LA's major academic minds, other government leaders(county, state, and non-Cal. entitles having similar problems), as well as competent city administrators to determine what's workable; I favor a partnership between city and property owners as to public works knowing result will enhance our values substantially.

3. What is the single most important issue facing your Council District today, and how would you deal with it?

"Council District 4" is communities in-search-of-a-district, few common issues between Sherman Oaks, Los Feliz, Hancock Park, Koreatown, Silverlake and Toluca Park. We should redraw lines to have a more common-interest district. We need to cut staff of 20 by 1/3 and bloated council pay of $180,000 by 1/3, and require council president oversight of district staff-performance. Field deputies are always "on the phone" or "out in the field". Hollywood needs support for its business progress. So does every other of the many different neighborhoods in CD4. As a former 2-term Councilman, I know what's needed, do it now!


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


Created from information supplied by the candidate: December 26, 2014 06:12
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.