Philosophy on life? It is all good; some of it is just better.
What keeps you up at night? Nothing.
Where did you move from? Grew up in Los Angeles.
Age: 73
Profession: Architect (senior principal of RTK Architects, Inc.)
Alternative career. What you do if you weren’t employed in your current profession? Maybe be a landscape architect, and travel.
How long have you lived in Santa Monica? 41 years.
What neighborhood do you live in? Sunset Park.
Why did you choose to live here? Educational reasons, i.e. two of my children were blind, and Santa Monica had the best integrated special-education system. Plus, the climate and ocean were factors as well, since I grew up on the Westside and I wanted to be near the beach.
Rent or own? Own.
Favorite place in Santa Monica? Home. I love my home.
Worst thing about living in Santa Monica? Traffic.
How many cars do you own? What do you drive? One, a Mercedes.
If you could have dinner with three people from history, alive or dead, who would they be? Why? President Harry Truman, because of his courage, strength and honesty; he was one of our best presidents. Thomas Jefferson, because of his intellect; he was a man for all seasons. Leonardo Da Vinci because of his vision.
Favorite quote? The sign in my office that reads: “Grant me patience Lord … but hurry.”
Pet peeves? What are NOT my pet peeves.
How do you take the edge off? (How do you relieve stress?) Racquetball, reading, entertainment, fishing.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in life? Living this long, and being lucky enough to be healthy.
What’s your biggest disappointment in life? Not being 6’-11”, 180 pounds, a superb athlete, and having the brains of Einstein.
Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you. I’m basically shy.
Fetishes? None, they are all rational.
Hobbies/interests. How do you spend your recreational time? Racquetball, weight-lifting, fishing. Watching spectator sports, especially football and basketball.
What’s the last live performance you saw? The other night at City Council.
Last book you read? “The da Vinci Code”
Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for? Fifth Amendment.
Family: Marital status. Number of children? Married, with one living daughter and two deceased children.
Endorsed by: Fire Fighters Association, CEPS, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, and United Transportation Union (AFL/CIO).
Public service/political experience? Santa Monica YMCA
“Family of the Year for 1967,” for family involvement and contribution, Chair for 6 years of their camp at Big Bear, California, Designs “pro bono” for camp cabins, Board of Directors, 1970-1983 and Advisory Board 2003 to current, Member of Men’s Club, 1965-1984. Community Activist, 1965-present, City of Santa Monica Architectural Review Board, Appointed by the City of Santa Monica Council, 1974-75, Initial board and its first chairperson, Major author of City of Santa Monica Sign Ordinance, Co-author of Architectural Review Board’s Goals, Tasks and By-laws
Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation Board of Directors, Appointed by City Council, 1983, Public/private corporation formed to oversee the development and operation of Santa Monica Pier, Initial Board of Directors, Formed and appended By-Laws, Developed a master plan for the pier, schools /education, special education with my two blind sons, Parent Teacher Association, Santa Monica High School Band President, Created the Glenn Katz Music Memorial Scholarship in my son’s name at Santa Monica High School, Created a music scholarship in my daughter’s name, Dana, at Santa Monica City College, Formed a Santa Monica College Foundation Ilona Katz Chair of Excellence in memory of my deceased wife at Santa Monica City College Neighborhood organizations, Sunset Park Associated Neighbors, Co-Founder for activist organization, President: Member of Board of Directors, Concerned Home-owners Organization, Heritage Square Museum – Charter member, Trees on Pico Association, Santa Monica Bay Area Girls’ Club - Board of Directors, 1974 - 1978, PTA Member, 25 years, Santa Monica High School: Band Parents’ member, 1977, President, 1977-78, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Mall Committee, 1970s, Current Board of Directors member, Planning Commission, Appointed by the City of Santa Monica Council, 1975 - 1983, Chairperson, 3 years, Vice-Chairperson, 1 years, Set landscape standard, Passed on Sign Ordinance, with revisions, Assisted in the design and adopted new zoning ordinance, Adopted Noise Element, Housing Element for State of California, Reviewed and adopted Traffic Analyses and Patterns, Reduced and set new Building Height Limits, Technical Advisory Committee, City of Santa Monica - Local Coastal Plan, Chairperson, Developed master plan for obtaining local control regarding the Coastal
6D2, Commission, American Institute of Architects, California Council, Member of Legislative Committee, League of Cities - State of California, Board Member, National League of Cities, Board Member, Santa Monica City Council, Current elected Member of Santa Monica City Council, 2000-2004, Elected member for two terms, 1984-1992, Mayor Pro-Tempore, 2 years, One of chief founders of the Third Street Promenade (Bayside District), Reviewed and passed revised Housing Element, Updated Zoning Code, Parking and traffic access for City Council, Liaison to Bayside District, Third Street Promenade, Council Liaison to Planning Commission, Council Liaison to Pier Restoration Corporation, Council Liaison to Recreation and Parks, Council Liaison to Airport Commission, Council Liaison to Arts Commission, Bayside District, Member 1993–2000, Executive Board Member, 1994 - 2000, Chairperson, 1998 - 2000
Political affiliation: Democrat
Educational background: A bachelor of architecture college degree.
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?
The policy change that would most benefit our community would be for the City Council to set resident service as the top priority for city — and then to hire staff who are dedicated to that high level of resident service. The bottom line is that city staff must understand their job is to be helpful — not just to say “no” — and our ordinances need to be flexible so we can get away from the current atmosphere of over-control with no adjustments. That requires a City Council majority more interested in service to the public than in enforcing its own whims.
F2F, I believe many of the problems that have arisen in confrontations between city staff and residents are due to the fact that the current council majority has adopted a policy of micro-management on many issues. This increases the cost of city government — money that could be used to improve essential city services — and reduces the freedom of residents.
I advocate policies that demonstrate that Santa Monica will treat its residents with enormous respect. A good first step would be for the City Council majority to implement my proposal that all council hearings and meetings end by 11 p.m. so residents no longer have to wait until 2 a.m. to have their voices heard.
Question #2:
In 300 words or less, convince the public on why they should vote for you.
I’m proud that I have been called “the voice of reason” on the council, in large part because I am also committed to ensuring that the city’s elected officials and staff conduct themselves with utmost respect for members of the community. I am also the only member of the current council who is a business person, owning and operating an architectural firm that requires me to meet a payroll for 21 people in my office — that’s a real-world business and professional perspective the City Council needs from at least one of its members, if not more. I believe voters will benefit by re-electing me to continue as the voice of reason and real-world perspective at City Hall — for all the people of Santa Monica — using my extensive experience in city government, my professional background as an architect and all I’ve learned from my neighbors in the community.
I’m also proud that I’ve been able to serve our city for the past 30 years as a community volunteer, school advocate, Planning Commissioner and City Council-member. That experience has put me in touch with real-world problems and real-world solutions.
My experience has helped guide the City Council on fiscal issues as I try to bring a “service first” attitude to city government. That approach is essential if we are going to demand that the City Council set of respect for the community and a high-level of resident service as the top priority for city — and then transmit that attitude to staff — because the current Council majority does not esteem Santa Monica citizens.
Finally, my professional background has helped the city in my work with the downtown parking task force, which helped focus City Hall on the need for parking, as well as working to revitalize the Third Street Promenade through the Promenade Task Force.
Question #3:
In 300 words or less, what will be your top three priorities the first year of holding office?
My top priorities in the next term are not limited to three. They include: Traffic and parking: Developing more small-scale, accessible parking facilities where they are needed throughout the city, as well as a shuttle system to help residents get out of their cars for short trips.
Homelessness: Finding answers — both local and regional — that truly address homelessness without having lasting negative impacts on residents.
Housing: Creating additional housing of all types as quickly as possible by simplifying and speeding up the planning and building permit process.
Parks, landscaping and open space: Working with residents and neighborhoods to expand these essential community resources.
Greater respect for the community: A good start would be for the Council to adopt a policy that no official city meeting or public hearing continue past 11 p.m. so residents won’t be forced to wait until 2 a.m. to express their opinions.
OPTIONAL:
Is there an afterlife? I’m too busy with this one to contemplate the next.
Do you believe in extraterrestrials? Yes.
What’s the meaning of life? I quote comedian Jackie Vernon: “Wet birds don’t fly at night.”
Have you inhaled? Yes, and I have also exhaled.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 23, 2004. Read the original PDF.