Position on Culver City Issues

By Mary Ann Greene

Following are my positions on open city government, educational partnerships, environmental advocacy, balanced development, traffic solutions, and neighborhood empowerment.

I am seeking a public dialogue, open city government, and an inclusive public debate about ideas and programs for Culver City, the great place where we live. We face severe state budget shortfalls, growing traffic congestion, new fears of crime, and growth of the cities surrounding us. It is critical that we have city leadership that can face these challenges constructively.

In order to solve problems and not create new ones, we must engage and attract people's involvement in city business. We must make people feel welcome, and assure them that their input is heard.

Education Partnerships

There needs to be closer cooperation between Culver City Government and the Culver City Schools. Culver City can help through support of cultural activities in the schools. Music and Art programs have been shown to have a strong positive impact on academic performance.

Environmental Advocacy

I support preservation of green space. As the leader of the plan to have the Vista Pacifica development converted to parkland, and past Chair of the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, my record of support for environmental and parkland protections is strong. Common Sense Budget

I strongly support balancing the budget without diminishing the key public safety services of the Police and Fire Departments. I will also seek to enhance the quality of life of our residents through maintenance of public parks, street cleaning, public infrastructure, and education. This is a difficult task. It demands community input, collaboration between departments, and active bridge building between the City Council and our public employees.

Balanced Development

We need to build bridges between businesses and residents. I know this can be achieved. By working together to focus business development in areas that welcome it, and by protecting our residential areas from negative impacts, we can benefit both businesses and residents.

Traffic Solutions

We can address our growing traffic problems by working with regional agencies and governments that surround us. Traffic and pollution do not stop at our borders. Playa Vista sits outside our borders, but will have a huge impact on our traffic patterns.

Neighborhood Empowerment

Every neighborhood in Culver City needs a means to express itself and to ensure being heard by the city government. I propose that neighborhood councils serve this role. Expanded public involvement means broader public support for a wiser government.