Philosophy on life? Be honest and work hard and you will be rewarded with more than money.
What keeps you up at night? Nothing really.
Moved from: Pacific Palisades.
Age: 49
Profession: Health care administration.
Alternative career. What you do if you weren’t employed in your current profession? Surgeon.
How long have you lived in Santa Monica? 10 years.
What neighborhood do you live in? Mid-City neighborhood.
Why did you choose to live here? We both worked in Santa Monica and our son was attending a local public school, McKinley Elementary.
Rent or own? Own.
Favorite place in Santa Monica? Our home.
Worst thing about living in Santa Monica? Lack of representation in our local government for residents.
How many cars do you own? What do you drive? Several. Depends on the trip.
If you could have dinner with three people from history, alive or dead, who would they be? Actually, I would pick four and they would be my grandparents. One of whom I never met. Why? Because they are the people I most admire and now that I am older I could learn so much more from them.
Favorite quote? Don’t have just one.
Pet peeves? Selfishness and dishonesty.
How do you take the edge off? (How do you relieve stress). I am blessed to have found out how to live life without stress. So I don’t have to engage in any one activity to relieve stress.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in life? Becoming a husband and father.
What’s your biggest disappointment in life? Finding that the community I live in is controlled by a small group of people who are not honest.
Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I don’t seek to surprise anyone. I guess I have a few things that would be surprising but I leave those items to people who are close to me.
Fetishes? None.
Hobbies/interests. How do you spend your recreational time? Travel and history.
What’s the last live performance you saw? My sister singing at the Disney Concert Hall.
Last book you read? The collective works of Shelly and Keats.
Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for? No.
Family: Marital status. Married 29 years. Number of children? One.
Endorsed by: Did not seek endorsements.
Public service/political experience? Too much to list. Suffice to say I believe of oneself.
Political affiliation: American.
Educational background: Degree in communication and multiple state certifications and licenses.
Question #1:
In 300 words or less, answer this: If you were elected into office, what would be the first policy change you would make? How would you ensure a majority vote on that policy?
To stop the future development of city building projects that are not completely funded by the city budget and halt the process of funding projects by creating debt.
I would hope that common sense might sway a majority. If not I would encourage the members of the public to craft a ballot measure that would amend the City Charter to disallow the current practice of funding projects without the money to pay for them.
Question #2:
In 300 words or less, convince the public on why they should vote for you.
The candidates that are endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Monicans’ For Renters Rights group, the police and fire employee’s union, the city employee’s union and the CEPS group are all clearly required to consider these folks first in their deliberations as repayment for the endorsements and the financial contributions made to get them elected. You could elect anyone if you have enough money for glossy mailers filled with lies.
I am not endorsed and am beholden to no special interest groups, as noble as their causes may be, and therefore would consider the needs of the residents first. I would be accountable to the people who elected me. That is what makes me a better candidate. And I am honest.
Question #3:
In 300 words or less, what will be your top three priorities the first year of holding office?
To work to solve the parking, traffic and homeless problems here in Santa Monica.
Regional solutions, continued commercial development, increasing population are reasons for these problems but not excuses as to why we can’t tackle and solve problems right now. If a Councilperson has the will (and the residents sure do) then they can find a way. The incumbents have had long enough and now quite suddenly, during the campaign, they have the solutions — ya right. If you believe that I have a bridge you might be interested in buying.
OPTIONAL:
Is there an afterlife? Check with me later.
Do you believe in extraterrestrial? No, but it would be nice if they exist that they would come to Santa Monica and restore democracy.
What’s the meaning of life? Each person might answer this differently. I am still searching for what the meaning of life is and frankly it’s not that important to me to understand everything.
Have you inhaled? No, never.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 23, 2004. Read the original PDF.