BALLOT STATEMENTS FROM CITY Council and school board candidates are on City Hall’s Web site. They’re a fun read while waiting for Labor Day burgers to grill. First up, City Council.
Challenger Susan Hartley, an employment law attorney, lists a number of city problems and suggests she’ll “fight for less growth, density, height and traffic and more tree canopy preservation and enhancement.” She’ll “also fight to clean our beaches and (eliminate?) airport pollution.”
Businessman Michael Kovac is “for renters’ rights,reducing traffic,fighting airport expansion, improving parking, promoting sustainable development and finding an effective solution concerning the homeless.”
Writer Ted Winterer promises “to fight traffic, limit growth and promote adaptive use.” He supports increased funding for schools, supports rent control and embraces sustainability.Winterer is “running to save our city from over development and preserve its diverse beach town character….” He pledges to be the residents’ voice.
On the other hand, physical therapist Linda Piera-Avila’s priorities are community gardens and parks, a healthy environment/sustainable living, limited development,increasing bicycle ridership,an urban forest commission, tenant protection, affordable housing, publicly-assisted child care, election reform and on and on.
Entrepreneur and actor John Blakely suggests hybrid city buses, a solar power infrastructure, more bicycle parking, a community plan for a high magnitude earthquake (Hey John, it exists. Try Paul Weinberg, Fire Department’s Emergency Services Coordinator) and “reducing homelessness by helping those who want it and protecting Santa Monica from those who don’t.”
Despite failing to mitigate problems such as homelessness, traffic, parking and development while on the dais, all four incumbents are running.
Twenty year Councilmember Ken Genser promises to control growth and fight overdevelopment; protect our safety; deliver cost-effective, high quality city services; support our schools; expand our park system; provide services for seniors and youth; ensure tenant protections; enhance affordable housing and manage city finances wisely.
Councilmember Richard Bloom is proud of his “nearly a decade” on the City Council. He boasts he’s “answered your challenge to implement Santa Monica’s world recognized environmental record,” and “schools that are second to none.” Bloom says he’s “responded to our community’s desire to end homelessness. He promises outstanding new parks and to create an exciting new cultural arts program, to complete Civic Center Park and bring more music and art to our Civic Auditorium — all while keeping Santa Monica safe and maintaining responsible fiscal policies. How about development, Richard?
Mayor/Architect Herb Katz lists his accomplishments after 16 years on the dais. He’s “strongly supported the police and fire departments; co-founded the Third Street Promenade; fought for a sign ordinance to reduce urban blight; orchestrated the purchase of Virginia Park; helped bring in-ground crosswalk lighting to Santa Monica” (Crosswalk lighting?) and is a tireless advocate for airport safety. He calls himself “an independent voice of reason on the Council” and “will always fight to protect our quality of life.” Forgot development too, Herb?
Last, but not least, is businessman/Councilmember Bobby Shriver, who’s seeking his second term. His ballot statement oozes passion. Bobby takes on the West L.A. Veteran’s Administration for foot dragging on providing critically needed housing for homeless vets. Shriver says it’s also “unacceptable” that our beach water is loaded with fecal material and he wants to limit building heights and density. Go, Bobby!
Most school board incumbents glossed over recent district disasters by implying that they’ve fixed them, not prolonged or ignored them.
School board member Maria Leon- Vazquez says that under her eight years on the school board “Test scores increased; the budget was brought under fiscal control with high reserves,” among other accomplishments. Budget under fiscal control? High reserves? Really?
Even more amazing is school board Vice President Jose Escarce, who in eight years on the board has “helped steer our school district through California’s budget crisis while fostering educational excellence, equity, and (get this) financial accountability.”Escarce promises to reform special education, strengthen intervention programs, promote teachers’ professional development and efficiently manage Measure BB construction.
Architect Ralph Mechur says he’ll insure the hiring of a highly qualified superintendent; support a comprehensive review of special education; successfully re-negotiate the facilities use contract with the city; make the district a leader in sustainable practices; support teachers, staff and ”programs that raise achievement levels of all student (sic).”
Challengers include high school teacher Chris Bley, who promises to increase school board accessibility through bi-monthly neighborhood meetings (novel idea), provide appropriate “individualized” education, reduce classroom size and improve pay, support low achieving schools and eliminate the achievement gap.
Former UC Student Regent Ben Allen pledges to address the persistent achievement gap (the one the incumbents have narrowed?), recruit a superintendent of the highest caliber, emphasize academic excellence, pursue fiscal responsibility, improve special education and expand partnerships with SMC, UCLA, and beyond. But his “encouraging healthier eating and exercise” goal I find hard to swallow, especially with a Labor Day picnic ahead.
BILL Ballot statements at www.smgov.net.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 1, 2008. Read the original PDF.