Answers to Questions THE TRIBUNE

By Brahama D. Sharma, Ph.D.

Following give answers to questions asked by City Editor of THE TRIBUNE Published on September 30, 2004

NO STRINGS ATTACHED, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT
USED FOR?

ANSWER: (a). Use part of it to immediately assure the Shell

Beach area residents that the floding will be
dealt with forthwith in parts that are in
imminent danger.(b) Use part of it to repair
James Way and provide a signal near the post
office.

Q 2. WHAT SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL STEPS CAN PISMO BEACH TAKE TO

ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM?

ANSWER: Affordable Housing as looked at now is the

ownership. It is worthwhile to explore it as a
joint venture mong the Five Cities and convince
the state that solving the affordable housing
is best done on a regional basis for cities
like Pismo Beach.

Q 3. WHAT DECISION OF THE CURRENT COUNCIL HAVE YOU

MOST STRONGLY DISAGREED WITH? WHY?

ANSWER: Pismo Beach City Council does not function

as a board, which it should. The decision
to abdicate their duty to elect among
themselves a presiding officer without
making substantive changes to the municipal
code as to the duties of the mayor other
than to preside over City Council meetings
and sign documents.

Q 4. WHAT WOULD CITY POLICY BE FOR PUTTING UTILITY LINES

UNDERFROUND OR RECONSTRUCTING RESIDENTIAL STREETS
TO PROVIDE CURB AND GUTTER FOR DRAINAGE?

ANSWER: The city of Pismo Beach should not create

piecemeal assessment districts. This divides
the city into "haves" AND "HAVE NOTS". Yes,
if it benefits just a handful the city should
not subsidize.In generalthe policy should be
to proide services to help the entire
community as residents, businesses, tourists
and the like.

We take from the website of Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce http://www.pismochamber.com from the OCTOBER 2004 issue of THE SOURCE TO READ MORE ABOUT VISION FOR THE FUTURE. THANK YOU

• The text of this vision is as follows: Thursday, September 30, 2004 CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR-BRAHAM D. SHARMA Candidate for Mayor Brahama D. Sharma, Ph.D., C. Chem., FRSC (life) Registered Parliamentarian

• Q. "What is your vision for Pismo Beach in 2007 and what steps are most important to achieve it?

• A. At the outset, the Fourth of July Festivities must be assured not only into 2007 but for perpetuity. A line item in the City of Pismo Beach Budget, in addition to providing services of the police, fire and the like, is essential to commit City of Pismo Beach as the proud partner. As was proposed in a letter to The Tribune, a Non-Profit Foundation must be set up to cover unexpected expenses.

  As a scientist it is of importance to have a vision of Pismo Beach over and above the present norm of tourists and beach visitors. Pismo Beach offers a wonderful natural resource in its ocean as a marine treasure, the geological surrounding beacon the reverence for exploration and preservation, (wells on Price Cyn Rd, the Dunes).

It is imperative that we look constructively to work with our neighbors to plan for a convention center with a science museum that brings together the essence of this great natural setting. With my contact attempts will be initiated to get Federal funds from various agencies including Homeland Security, Interior Department, National Science Foundation and others.

These will bring funds to help pay for the infrastructure, roads, and avenue to solve the traffic and parking

We also want to develop sister city relationships like Brighton Beach in the United Kingdom.

• Q. "How would your leadership skill improve the city council process?"

• A. As per the Municipal Code of City of Pismo Beach, the Mayor has no extra powers different from the other four council members. First and foremost, then one is to foster conduct of city council process in the spirit of the Municipal Code as an equal, applying the rules of conduct impartially and professionally.

It is not the robotic reading of Codes or Rules that helps the process; it is the appropriate and judicious application that makes the process mover without rancor. This is only possible if one can look at the process as a whole and not piecemeal. This in turn is the result of expertise one has developed over the years, as Brahama D. Sharma has.