We can focus on key constituencies like the younger generation and tourists to get them off the road and onto the rails.
What qualifies you to run for City Council?
I was raised on a farm in Ireland, so I’m no stranger to hard work and know the value of being resourceful when “throwing money at a problem” simply isn’t an option. Los Angeles could be the most dynamic city of the 21st Century. We can be economically and environmentally sustainable and here’s a novelty – we can be fiscally responsible. We will need fresh leadership to make that happen. I’ve dedicated myself to public service. Through our non-profit EnrichLA, we’ve built over 70 edible school gardens on a shoestring. With parents and teachers, together, we worked with the mother of all bureaucracies, LAUSD, to transform King Middle School into an academic powerhouse. I would like to bring this can-do attitude to City Hall. I ran in 2011 and was endorsed by the Los Angeles Times.
What are the key issues affecting Council District 4, and how would you address them?
1. Our infrastructure is crumbling while salaries at the DWP are some of the highest in the nation, and a recent report by the City Controller concluded that the Bureau of Street Services is inefficient and unwilling to adopt new technology. We can do better! I have a track record of working WITH bureaucracies to help them deliver more for less.
2. Development and plenty of the bad versions of it. A rush to tear down our historic neighborhood homes and replace them with bigger and tackier “McMansions”; The gold rush to build ever higher and denser with less parking has left many of us who used to be supporters of so called new urbanism shaking our heads. We can do better. We can build smarter. We can be more thoughtful. We can take our time and identify the difference between greedy and smart development.
3. Traffic has been exacerbated by development and pie in the sky assumptions about public transportation. We can focus on key constituencies like the younger generation and tourists to get them off the road and onto the rails. Our campaign is developing a pilot that will marry public transportation and ride share services to solve the first and last mile challenge. We can do better.
4. Sustainability and public education. I have grouped them together. Educate the younger generation for good jobs and before you know it, the minimum wage debate will be in the rear view mirror. Our 4 children attend public school. I have a vested interest and a record of success here. Rainwater collection, solar power, passive cooling and landfill reduction. We have done it in LA but we need to do more. A planet in peril is of no use to our children. I designed and built our “green” family home in Los Feliz. I live it. I get it. I can lead by example.
5. Fiscal management. We are in better shape financially than we were 4 years ago but we are still not in good shape. I am a fiscal conservative. The LA Times endorsed me in 2011 partially because of my background in business. I think we need more business minded city council members.
