Ron Buss
Palos Verdes Estates
March 1997 Election
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All Palos Verdes Peninsula candidates may publish their views here. The personal commitment and sacrifice necessary to run for office are significant, regardless what each candidate's motivation may be. Palos Verdes on the NET congratulates all candidates and supports them by providing our community with the first virtual "Town Hall Soap Box".
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We wish each and every candidate great success.
Twenty-three
years ago, my wife Milla and I made Palos Verdes Estates the City where
we would live and raise our family. Over the years, we have had two children,
enjoyed the benefits of our special community and our excellent educational
system. We have seen social change, three recessions and continuing demands
on municipal services and their funding. Today, there are a number of issues
of paramount importance � fire, paramedic and police services and infrastructure
upgrading that must be addressed if we are to maintain our city's unique
environment as we enter the 21st century. I am a candidate for City Council
because I believe my financial background and professional experience will
be an asset to the City Council as these issues are addressed in the next
four years.
Some of my qualifications are:
Several Councilmembers have encouraged me to run for a Council seat believing my financial back- ground would complement those strengths already present. In addition, my participation on the Financial Advisory Committee the past five years has given me an invaluable background to assist the City. The one critical issue facing our community is how to maintain stable funding for our vital services: police, fire and paramedics. The City has a special benefit assessment district that funds fire and paramedics thereby freeing enough general fund money to maintain a strong police department. The recently passed Proposition 218 jeopardizes this revenue source which is 26% of our budget
DID YOU KNOW?
Our citizen's needs are the first concern; I pledge to work toward maintaining our vital services. I will uphold the City's commitment to preserving the unique rural character of our community through rigorous approval standards. Fiscal solvency can be maintained through multi-year budgeting and planning. I will work to see long range planning a reality. I ask for your support and your VOTE on March 4.
1. Would you consider a reduction in the 10% city utility tax?
A reduction would certainly be appropriate after all the identified
capital improvement projects (i.e. storm drain replacement and upgrade,
street resurfacing, etc.) have been completed. The City has made significant
improvements to our aging infrastructure with utility tax revenues. In
2003, when the Storm Drain Master Plan is completed residents should expect
a revisiting of the need for a 10% utility tax.
2. The City of PVE has Prop A parklands funds of 1.47 million dollars.
How do you see these funds being utilized? It is important to understand
the City has these funds held in Trust by the County, and if unused by
June 1998, they will be reallocated to other jurisdictions. The City's
first priority should be to acquire available parcels for permanent open
space particularly along the ocean bluffs. Secondly, the Council should
pursue acquiring recreational open fields at our closed school sites to
permanently protect them for use by future generations rather than losing
the funds, but only after all alternative issues have been addressed.
3. What is your opinion on undergrounding utility wires?
Undergrounding utilities is an excellent method for eliminating visual
blight. It is important to recognize that undergrounding will benefit specific
homeowners; these costs should be borne by those who benefit. The City
should be the coordinating entity.
4. Do you feel there is sufficient openness in our city government?
Openness is of utmost importance as City officials should be held accountable
to their constituents. Closed sessions discussions should be limited to
personnel problems, litigation issues and negotiations that are allowed
under the Brown Act.
5. What are your views on morning & evening traffic solutions
around the Malaga Cove Plaza area?
Traffic has been and remains a serious problem around Malaga Cove and
at the triangle particularly in the morning and evening rush hours. It
is life-threatening to police officers who must stand in the middle of
several converging lanes. A traffic fatality could cost up to $1,000,000
under our JPIA insurance policy; the City is responsible for roughly $300,000
of this expense. A comprehensive study is underway addressing the problem;
the study is needed.
6. What is your position on gardeners use of leaf blowers in PVE?
I am against leaf blowers conceptually; however for a ban to be effective
it must apply to both gardeners and residents. It must be pointed out to
homeowners that the County prohibits water hosing materials into the storm
drain. Ultimately there could be a higher maintenance cost per household
for gardening services. The final call on blower usage should be determined
by the homeowners.
7. Do you think PVE needs a tree cutting/view ordinance?
Other cities have tried to define and enforce view ordinances and have
ended up in court. The City has a tree management policy covering trees
on City property. The Homes Association can regulate the issue of trees
on private property through the C.C. & R.'s. We need a balance between
view impairment and private property rights.
8. Would you support reform of the structure of the PV Homes Association
and Art Jury?
Simplification of the permitting process (as well as the inherent cost)
with both the Planning Department and Art Jury are in order. I would not
support the elimination of the Homes Association nor Art Jury; it is their
unique contribution that has protected the quality and character of this
City the last 57 years.
City Council Members:
Michael Moody
William Finer
Other Endorsers:
| Joseph Sanford David & Barbara Hart Jim & June Kinney Jack & Ann Boyt Dave & Zoie Carney Joe S. Cardillo Ron & Karin Jones Tom & Patricia Mehlberg John & Perky Waterman Brian & MaryLee Ryba James & Donna Gallagher Michele Byrnes Ellen & Frazier Perkins Galen Sanford Keith & Susan Hilbig William & Ellen Gorbunoff Mike & Pat Richards Kelly Johnson Phyllis & Rene Scribe Brent Goodrich Jackie Chausee Virginia Butler DeeDee Barry Les Fishman Lois Olsen Joe & Eloise Overton Mary Ann Babikian Jerry & Cathy Gillman Bobbie & Myron Mitzenmacher MaryAnn & Chuck Garland Jim & Pam Hall Chip Scholz Deepak Chopra Clint McMorris Sharon Goodrich Lynn Moody Edna Goode Peggy Hensley Karl & Sally Fechner Pat Stolz Gary & Valerie Gertz Hal Culver Barry & Tama Knowles |
Brian & G. Zientek Marilyn & Ken Prindle Linda Finer Lowell & Victoria Graham P.D. & Laurie David Gary Chang Stan Johnston Fred & Donna Niedermeyer Linda Smith Bob & Doris Welbourn Nancy Mahr Roy Oliver Don & Mary Sloper Rudy Gonzalez Juan Forteza Mia Thompson Fabiano & Giovana Ciccone Harv & Ruth Daniels J. Sojha Eric & Laura Buss Pat & Debbie Green Rita Bayer Don and Ann Gralnek Rene and Phyllis Scribe Michael and Barbara Masterson JoEllen Gould Robert and Pam Barclay Dave and Marcia Goldstein Ray and Nancy DeLong Don and Pamela Bowers Steve and Marlene Young Tom and Jill Hackathorn Marty Dodell Jim McBirney Joanne E. Slater Peter and Monique Thorrington Jim, Carol and Derek Larkin William and Jane Whitman Carol Ozark Nancy and Jim Lacy Al Yano Mardi and Toby Tobias Alex and Alice Chekian |
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PV High Principal Kelly Johnson resigns after 28 years of service. Many
residents and students want to know why. Please call the P.V.
Please call the Peninsula Unified School District and the Board of Education,
President Ellen Perkins at 310-378-9966 for information and to find out
why. There is a special School Board meeting at 3801 Via La Selva at 6:15
PM on Feb. 12. Interested parties are encouraged to attend.
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