As a citizen and community leader, I have gained first hand knowledge of the interests
and concerns of the people of CD2 and this City. Even prior to this campaign I have examined the specialized issues affecting each of our different and diverse communities. From the voices of each of you - at our forums or individual discussions -  I have been fortunate enough to learn in great detail the issues facing all of us. More and more I am seeing our concerns, while often different in specifics, are the same in concept.

The most widely discussed issues facing this community and the city include:

- Our City’s dire financial condition

- Public safety, crime, and property damage

- Infrastructure

- Responsible development

- Preserving open space

- Inconsistent or lack of code enforcement

- Upcoming redistricting and existing districting issues

- Condition of local roads

- Traffic

Here Are Some Of My Positions On The Issues

Fiscal Responsibility

1.       Complete five or seven year projections as part of the annual budget process to try to anticipate future trends in the local and national economy that would affect the amount of revenue received by the City and adjust spending levels accordingly. Set aside sufficient reserves during prosperous years to offset reductions in revenue during economic downturns.

2.       The proposed early retirement program backed by the Coalition of City Unions in exchange for no layoffs and furloughs must be based on an accurate analysis of the additional pension contributions required from the remaining City employees in order keep the pension system solvent.

Planning

1.       As the community plans are restudied, require that there be adequate infra-structure, particularly for transportation, to support the density of development proposed by the plan.  Adjust densities downward or add additional infrastructure to accommodate the level of development proposed by the community plans.

2.       Additional rail transit and rapid bus lines should be developed to provide alternatives to congested freeways and surface streets.  Improve regular bus service as well. 
High density commercial and residential developments should be located only within a walking distance of rail transit stations.

3.       To control mansionization, enact residential floor area (RFA) districts as needed where the Citywide Mansionization Ordinance does not provide adequate protection for neighborhoods.

4.       Enact a citywide ban on new billboards, including digital billboards, which not have exception provisions.  The 2002 ban on new billboards was invalidated by the courts
due to the exceptions included along with the ban.

5.       Investigate the feasibility of a citywide utility undergrounding program along the major and secondary highways. Implement if financing can be obtained.

6.       Establish a citywide program of planting street trees along the major and secondary
highways and landscaping the medians of streets in commercial districts.

7.       Investigate the feasibility of redeveloping unsightly commercial strip highways, and enact policies to encourage and facilitate redevelopment.

8.       Preserve existing open spaces through acquisition and the dedication of open spaces for preservation as part of new developments.  Identify new funding sources for open space preservation.  

9.       Preserve equestrian properties through plan revisions, zone changes and special protections as part of the restudies of the community plans.

10.     The expansion of the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square Shopping Center should not be permitted unless there is a legally binding set of measures to mitigate the impacts of the expansion, particularly traffic, and protect residential neighbor- hoods north of the shopping center.  Also, develop citywide planning policies on the location and design of regional shopping centers,

11.     Implement the L.A. River Master Plan, including landscaping along the river in Studio City.

Public Safety

1.       When the economy recovers, resume implementation Mayor’s goal of expanding the Los Angeles Police Department to 10,000 officers.

2.       Continue to expand and improve programs for community oriented policing.

3.       Ensure that police officers are deployed in an equitable manner so that no Council district too few officers relative to the rate of crime within that district.