Candidate for
Council Member; City of Rancho Palos Verdes

Quality of Life

We all moved here for a reason, and it wasn't cheap real estate. I see quality of life in Rancho Palos Verdes revolve around three basic centers:

1) Open space- Look at a satellite photo of the South Bay and it is quite evident that our area is blessed with an abundance of a rare commodity; open space. Aside from the peaceful, rural ambiance it creates, open space provides tremendous recreational and educational opportunities for all ages. I refer you to my résumé as a testimonial of the efforts I have made over the years to protect and maintain open space within our city. Learn more.....

2) Neighborhood compatibility- Neighborhoods should not be inundated with mansions that don't fit into the neighborhood character. Keeping equilibrium between development rights and neighborhood compatibility takes constant vigilance. You may view my efforts to preserve neighborhood compatibility at: http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/planning/agenda_videos/

3) Low Crime-Currently RPV has a low crime rate. But we need to keep on top of it including making sure there is consistent communication with the Sheriff department keeping track of crime trends. Community awareness through organizations such as Neighborhood Watch is an important component to this effort. Coordination of Neighborhood Watch with an Emergency Preparedness Plan can help expand that safety in times of emergency.

Here are some fundamental guidelines I think make for a good city government:

Informed decision makers make informed decisions

Decision makers should make an effort to be fully informed before making a decision. I intend to make sure I have the facts correct and make sure public opinion is heard before I balance competing interests to make sound decisions.

Fiscal Efficency and Responsibilty

Government finances are often viewed as simple matter of tax and spend. But often a third dynamic is overlooked; getting the best bang for the buck. Efficiently run governments usually have, as a part of their daily routine, a constant eye on researching the information needed to utilize tax dollars wisely. As your elected representative, I will constantly search for that best value of your tax dollar.

Sacramento has "borrowed" our property tax dollars to the tune of $770,000 in an attempt to fix their financial mess. We have two options for repayment from the State: either be paid back in three years with interest or participate in the Prop. 1A Securitization Program, which would through a joint powers bond of the California Communities group, would get those funds back in two installments, Jan. and May of next year. All costs of this program are borne by Sacramento. I think we should participate in the Securitization Program as we have immediate infrastructure needs, especially a potential road failure on the switchbacks of PVDE caused by San Ramon storm water runoff.

Another area tapping our budgetary resources is the City's pension obligations which comes in at about $2.5 million. Due to low returns on CALPERS investments, the City's liability on pension costs will rise by 10-20% this year and 15% FY 11-12. We need to budget for pay down of pensions to lessen this future liablity.

Respect and Responsibility

One of my core values is to show respect for my fellow human beings. I live by this in my personal life as well as public life. I always have respect for public and their opinion as well as for my fellow colleagues.

Some people have asked me why on earth would I put myself through all of this and run for City Council. I can only say that one of my core values is to take responsibility for myself, my decisions and the world I live in. I am the type of guy that will pick up a piece of trash on a trial because I want to leave this world a little better than I found it. My long list of community service in RPV exemplifies that I take action to implement this core belief.