Philosophy on life? God is in the details.
What keeps you up at night? Worrying about family.
Where did you move from? Ladera Heights/Berkeley.
Age: 53
Profession: Planner.
Alternative career. What you do if you weren’t employed in your current profession? Singer and dancer.
How long have you lived in Santa Monica? 32 years.
What neighborhood do you live in? North side.
Why did you choose to live here? Two reasons: My family history here, and this is where I was going to school.
Rent or own? Rent.
Favorite place in Santa Monica? On the pier, just north of Mariasol Restaurant. From there, you can look back at the city, enjoy the ocean breeze, and listen to the waves.
Worst thing about living in Santa Monica? Youth violence.
How many cars do you own? What do you drive? One, a 1999 SAAB.
If you could have dinner with three people from history, alive or dead, who would they be? Why?
Favorite quote? “God is in the details,” — Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Pet peeves? Inconsiderate people, and people without open minds.
How do you take the edge off? (How do you relieve stress?) Having a nice meal with friends.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in life? Overcoming physical challenges.
What’s your biggest disappointment in life? Not having kids.
Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you. I often cry at the movies. (I often sleep at them, too).
Fetishes? Whatever you heard is untrue. (And those pictures on the Internet are fakes.)
Hobbies/interests. How do you spend your recreational time? Conversations over meals with friends.
What’s the last live performance you saw? Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale at the Theatricum Botanicum.”
Last book you read? It’s been so long that I’ve read a book, I can’t recall.
Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for? No.
Family: Marital status. Number of children? Single, no kids.
Endorsed by:
Senator Sheila Kuehl, Assembly Member Fran Pavley, Sheriff Lee Baca, Santa Monica Fire Fighters’ Association, Santa Monica Police Officer’s Association, Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, Santa Monica Democratic Club, Sierra Club, Coalition for the Living Wage
Public service/political experience? Late 1970s: Re-zoning of the “beach tract” in Ocean Park to preserve its character.
Early 1980’s: Organizing a tenant’s association in the Sea Castle to preserve affordable housing.
1981: Citizen’s task force to revise the Housing Element of the General Plan.
1983: Co-founder, Community Corporation of Santa Monica; Board Member 1983-1988.
1983-1985: Member, Santa Monica Planning Commission.
1985-1988: Board Member, Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation.
1988-present, member of the City Council; Mayor 1992 & 2000; Mayor pro tem 1991 and 1999.
Political affiliation: Democrat
Educational background: AB-Architecture, UC Berkeley; Post Graduate Study, Southern California Institute of Architecture.
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?
If re-elected, I will work to lower the size of future commercial development and reduce the resulting traffic. Over the years, we have already reduced the permissible size of development, but we have further to go. The best way to get a majority vote is to respect your colleagues and work with them in an open, straightforward manner.
Question #2:
In 300 words or less, convince the public on why they should vote for you.
I have demonstrated that I work collaboratively with the community and with my colleagues to get things done. I carefully consider public input and I respect other points of view. I think every resident should live in a safe community and expect a high level of service from the city. As a councilmember, I have worked to make Santa Monica one of the most financially stable cities in the nation, with the lowest crime rate in decades. There are challenges ahead, and I understand -- as you do -- that there are no simple solutions. It takes hard work, careful deliberation, and sensible decisions to manage this city. I have shown I'm up to the task, and I respectfully request your support.
Question #3:
In 300 words or less, what will be your top three priorities the first year of holding office?
Limiting development (and resulting traffic.) Adding parks and open space.
Reducing youth violence and developing more programs for middle school youth.
OPTIONAL:
Is there an afterlife? I have absolutely no idea.
Do you believe in extraterrestrials? Because of the vastness of the universe, I think it is likely that there is some form of life elsewhere.
What’s the meaning of life? I wish I knew. All I can do is try to make things better for future generations.
Have you inhaled? Yes. (I was in Berkeley in the ‘60’s!)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 23, 2004. Read the original PDF.