Favorite CD: Sade Favorite movie: LoversRock Favorite thing about living here: The beach.
Have you ever been arrested? If so, for what? No Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had financial insolvency issues? No Endorsed by: Sierra Club, Mayor Mike Feinstein, Tom Hayden, Democrat California State Assembly Majority Leader Marco Firebaugh, Westside Greens, National Women’s Political Caucus, Neil Carrey (SM Parks and Recreation Board), Margaret Quinones (Santa Monica Board of Trustees). 1. What is the single biggest issue facing Santa Monica? What do you intend to do about it, if elected? Be specific.
Our quality of life, which includes a balance between office space and affordable housing. I support inclusionary zoning that ensures the socio-economic diversity of families living downtown and creates incentives for on-site affordability. It is for this reason that I believe we must work towards increasing public transit and a sufficient parking supply.
Downtown must be returned to Santa Monicans. With more housing anchored in the downtown area, locally serving businesses will thrive to stimulate economic growth and lead to more job creation.
Finally, public safety, I believe the police should be about promoting harmony in the community and engage stakeholders in an oversight manner. 2. Where’s the city spending money that, in your opinion, should be used for something else?
I am an avid supporter of the arts, yet would have to explore further the allocation of city funds into a summer concert series that includes local talent and reduces costs. 3. The city has hired an urban design consultant for $54,000 to tell us how the downtown area could be designed better. Do you think the downtown commercial zone needs to be redesigned and how much would you allocate toward such an endeavor?
I believe every downtown commercial area has a 10 to 20 year life span. If we want Santa Monica to thrive then we need to commit adequate resources into a participatory urban design process. I would welcome a new and better design that would include more local use resources for Santa Monica residents, such as open space, more parking, and housing. 4. The city is facing a $9.5 million budget shortfall this year and future budgets look just as bleak. What are the top three items in the city’s budget that you would cut to ease the taxpayer’s pain?
I would trim across the board from all areas so that to ensure not one sole department faces a demise. 5. The Santa Monica Police Department has some of the highest paid officers in the region. Do think the salaries of Santa Monica’s finest are justified? Why or why not?
Santa Monica officers like that of our Santa Monica teachers are highly qualified individuals. Having the highest paid officers translates to our expectation of receiving the highest quality of service. 6. The Pico neighborhood hasn’t had any formal representation on the city council in the history of Santa Monica. Do you think the blighted neighborhood’s drug dealing and gang activity is reflective of that? How would you represent this neighborhood?
I am a product of the Pico neighborhood, and understand the multi-faceted challenges facing the Pico neighborhood vis a vis our city — having already worked toward finding tangible policy solutions to social ills such as youth violence and substance abuse. I will take strong leadership to tackle urban blight and arrive at a pro-active community based solution such as taking a public health and preventive approach to public safety. I am confident to posses the unique balance of first-hand experiential knowledge and a proven track record of public service.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 29, 2002. Read the original PDF.