Candidate for
Councilmember; Proposed City of San Fernando Valley; District 10

TREATING RESIDENTS AS CUSTOMERS

Government exists to serve the people, who deserve to be treated like customers. I would set the tone for the new Valley city government as it treats its residents as customers right from the start. I would expect department heads and Neighborhood councils to seek community input, return phone calls, and cooperate with the community.

Customer driven service:

1. Wastes less and works to balance services and resources.
2. Promotes innovative ways to improve service.
3. Forces service providers to be accountable to their customers.

I would empower residents. The new Valley government would listen and discuss their ideas, complaints, and comments. Comments from E-mails and suggestion boxes would be answered in a timely manner.

1. Neighborhood Councils and/or Burroughs System I strongly believe that the residents of their districts should be an integral part of their own community. By using neighborhood councils, we give back to the people the local control they have sought for years to have. Local control will bring back trust between residents and their government.

2. City Services All City services will remain, as they presently exist. What a new Valley City will be able to do is improve the quality of the services that you have already paid for over the years.

3. Valley Schools With the resident's approval, once the City is setup and starting to work efficiently, one of the first tasks I would like to address is the Valley schools separation from the Los Angeles United School District. This is an area that has been ignored long enough. In the past 31 years, there has been only ONE school built in the Valley, while the population has increased tremendously. Over the years the voters have approved bond measures to build new schools, maintain the existing schools, yet look at the condition of our system today. We need local community involvement to bring the standards of education in line with others areas of the country.

4. Rent Control

I, along with many of my fellow candidates, signed a Rent Control Pledge, that not only will adopt Rent Control that exists on the books today, but will promise to continue that policy for the future.

5. Public Safety

More police need to be staffed in the Valley, and that is what the residents will get, but, not at an increase of dollars to the Valley. The Valley, over the years, has paid for many more officers than what we presently have. This policy will change with a new Valley.

6. City Workers

Los Angeles city employees who come to work for the new Valley city would find an employee-friendly atmosphere. Any reduction in employee position would occur through attrition. Because approximately 10% of a government workforce leaves each year, the new Valley city can eliminate positions without putting valued employees out of work. Employees in bureaucratic situations feel trapped by rules and regulations. By eliminating red tape, and streamlining the government process, employees would have the authority to get the job done.

7. Local Ordinances

My promise is to continue all provisions, laws, codes and guarantees that are currently in affect in the City of Los Angeles. Rent Control, Pensions, Jobs, will be protected and continued just as they exist in the City of Los Angeles.

8. Business

The new Valley city needs to have a business-friendly approach to our business partners. A short list would include, reducing business's GRT (Gross Receipt Tax) to attract and retain quality business throughout the San Fernando Valley. Promoting business-friendly policies, and increasing quality, stable, Valley employment opportunities.

9. Van Nuys Airport

Vigorously lobby the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for ownership transfer from the City of Los Angeles, to a new Valley city. Offer long-term leases at Van Nuys Airport to make the airport more attractive as a stable location for business and recreational aircraft use. Conditioning approval and continuation of long-term leases upon the elimination of Stage II noisy jets and compliance with Van Nuys Airport takeoff/landing hours. Promote compliance with lease terms and airport hours of operation through expanding monitoring of aircraft activity to a 24/7 schedule. Primary goal would to have the Van Nuys Airport become a revenue generating entity and not operate in the red, year after year.

10. Term Limits

I strongly support Term Limits for both City Council and Mayor, to no more than two, four year terms.