League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA April 11, 2006 Election
	Gary Silbiger Answers Questions Candidate for Member, City Council; City of Culver City

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

Questions & Answers

1. What is your position on Measure V?

I am proud to be voting yes on Measure V and to be working with the Citizens for a New Charter to get it passed. While not perfect, this document represents reasonable compromises and was pased unanimously by the Charter Review Committee, composed of members appointed by each Councilmember. The most important change is the move to a City Manager form of government rather than the current CAO form. This will allow the City Manager to oversee the day to day operations at City Hall and to supervise all staff while the part time City Council can focus on setting policy. As a member of the council for the past 4 years, I have seen the confusion that has arisen from our current system. It leads to inefficiency that hurts our productivity and makes it nearly impossible for the City Council to do our jobs. That is probably why nearly every city of our size in California uses the City Manager form of government. Please join me in voting yes on measure V.

2. How will light rail on the Expo right-of-way affect Culver City?

I am proud to be Culver City's representative on the Exposition Construction Authority, working with other elected officials and the MTA to get this project moving forward. I know that light rail will not only help the environment by reducing air pollution, it will also reduce traffic, help Culver City businesses, create jobs, bring in new tax revenue, and help those who are unable to drive. That is why the City Council passed the EIR with an overwhelming 4-1 majority.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a city election in April of the even-numbered years? Do you favor continuing the practice?

The main purpose of an election is to have as many people participate as possible. Most Culver City municipal elections attract between 20% and 30% of registered voters. In contrast, November general elections often attract upwards of 60% of registered voters. By changing the date of the election, we would be automatically doubling participation. Some say that this would move Culver City candidates to the bottom of the ballot and shift the focus of the electorate from our contest. However, in reality this change would produce the opposite result. Since double the number of people would participate, double the number of voters would pay attention to the election, read the literature, and attend candidate debates. Santa Monica has scheduled their municipal elections to coincide with the general election for decades and has found no decrease in interest, participation or focus, but a huge increase in participation.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 12, 2006 08:00
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