Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Questionnaire

By Kurt Weideman

Questionnaire from TACC to council candidates. Kurt W eideman responses.

I believe that I am qualified to evaluate and judge business issues based on my background of working for 26 years at the Hi-Shear Corporation, an aerospace manufacturer that has been located in Torrance for over 50 years. For the last ten years of my career, I was the Vice President and General Manager of Hi-Shear Automotive, growing the business three fold during my tenure as an Executive. The same traits that led to my successful business career, i.e. leadership, knowledge of fiscal budgets, and the ability to maintain open, honest relationships with employees, vendors and customers, are the same traits that I would bring the "stakeholders" (residents and businesses) of the City of Torrance as their Councilmember.

I also possess knowledge of public financing, having served for three years as the (first) Chairman of the El Camino College Bond Oversight Committee and my decade log association with the Carson, Lomita, Torrance Workforce Investment Board, the last two years of my tenure as Chairman.

Occupation.

I am retired from Hi-Shear, but my association with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is through the Torrance Historical Society, where I serve as Vice President (Membership).

Chamber/City Cooperation.

I believe that the Chamber and the City could enhance their working relationship in many ways.

Certainly, the current "round table" meetings between City officials and Chamber leadership could occur with more frequency, and evolve and strengthen if more meaningful action items were brought forward.

Another way to strengthen the relationship would be a closer association of the Chamber with City events, for example, a partnership (and visible presence) in the annual Armed Forces Day Parade or the 4th of July celebration in Wilson Park.

Top Three Revenue Issues

DECLINE/EXODUS OF AUTO DEALERSHIPS:

The auto dealerships bring an extraordinary amount of sales tax revenue to the city. I am particularly concerned about auto dealerships leaving or not coming to Torrance with regards to the loss of sales tax revenue.

I would do whatever I could to recruit/encourage replacements or the expansion of existing dealerships.

POTENTIAL BUDGET CRISIS, BROUGHT ABOUT BY STATE CUTS:

One only need to look at the disaster that is happening within TUSD with the prospect of losing $9 1/2 million from Sacramento in the next fiscal year. The City is still stronger economically than TUSD, but not knowing the extent of how the looming state deficit will effect our City, I would suggest that we may want to delay some Capital Expenditures. A recession is a particular worry with regards to the loss of sales tax revenue.

Torrance has historically underestimated revenue and overestimated expenses ("don't promise what you cannot deliver"), this is sound financial planning, but if "squeezed", I would once again suggest delaying non-critical Capital Expenditures.

SCHOOL BOND:

My father was a teacher for TUSD for 34 years, as a consequence, I am a strong supporter of our local school system, and I will support and work for the next School Bond measure.

Our school system is, arguably, the second reason that people choose to live in Torrance (Public Safety being first), the City and TUSD need to collaborate more closely for the benefit of the children who attend the schools and, not surprisingly, the homeowners whose home values are predicated on the reputation of Torrance schools. What can be done is to employ economies of scale. The City has a maintenance yard, must the school district keep its own yard? Joint P.O.'s can be written for stationary items, and even toilet paper. The City could offer the school district first option on surplus vehicles.

There are a multitude of other opportunities, but collaboration is a two way street and both parties must agree that this cooperation is necessary.

Attract Business.

During my business career at Hi-Shear, I am only too aware that California is not a "business friendly" state.

I think we must make sure that Torrance is a "business friendly" city. The first order of business for all City workers is to treat all "customers", be they residents or businesses, with human dignity. Next, and this is not a unique recommendation, I would offer a full service satellite center - complete with user friendly hours of operation, such that any "customer" can with one stop obtain a business license, building permit, etc.

Torrance currently has an Economic Development Team, representing almost all City departments - from Planning to Police. I have seen this team in action during my ten year tenure on the Carson, Lomita Torrance Workforce Investment Board, and it is an excellent deployment of City resources, especially in attracting new businesses to our community and the retention of long time businesses. I would favor enhancing this program.

Discover Torrance.

I have seen the Chamber's "Discover Torrance" program in action, most notably during the Tour of California bicycle race that finished in Redondo Beach (2006?). I was proud to see our city so prominently displayed in the public eye.

I must admit that I usually do think of Torrance as a destination for vacationers. We have no Disneyland and scarce ocean frontage. I do see Torrance as a destination for Corporate Headquarters, and as such, I would suggest that business travelers attract the same if not more revenue for local businesses.

I would not advocate any additional financial commitment from the City of Torrance without further proof of its effectiveness.

Measure T.

I am in favor of Measure T.

I do not see this as a new tax, and nothing that I can see is changing with its passage. From what I have read, this is the City's attempt to legitimize the current tax and putting it before the voters on June 3rd is the "cleanest" way to do it. I cannot buy into the argument that Measure T was forced by Prop. 218.

Downtown Torrance.

In order to revitalize Downtown Torrance, we need to increase safety, clean-up certain areas, repair infrastructure and enhance/expand the Redevelopment program. I am especially impressed by our City's Redevelopment Program, this is government that works!

Phase 1 of the City's efforts to make Downtown Torrance a "village" was a success, it is now time to begin Phase 2.

The City may want to reconsider the acceptance of Community Development block grants, I know that this is a controversial program, and I will tread lightly, but Torrance is losing $2,000,000/year of Federal funding, and revisiting this with the community (residents and businesses) cannot hurt.

Signage

The Downtown "Historic Old Torrance" signs at the boundaries of the original Olmstead District was a success. Likewise, I think the "monuments" along major thoroughfares at the City entrances enhances our identity.

Other Information about Kurt Weideman.

I am a 1996 graduate Leadership Torrance. I attended the 1st Grassroots Academy (I was a speaker at the 2nd). I am committed to accessible, open and honest government. I have the time and energy to devote to our City. I have extensive management and budgeting experience. I bring a strict standard of moral integrity.