LEAGUE STATEMENT

This election guide was prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Palos Verdes Peninsula as a service to the voters. The League, a non-partisan organization devoted to good government through citizen participation, never endorses, opposes, or evaluates any candidate for public office.

The candidates' answers to the questions asked are their own words. The League of Women Voters does not accept responsibility for any views or comments expressed by candidates in their responses.

Candidates were given a maximum of 50 words to list their education and civic activities and a total of 300 words for their three responses. Candidates were informed that material beyond those limitations would not be included. If there were only a few words over the limit, articles and/or transitions were removed, keeping the idea in tact. Punctuation and grammar has been printed as submitted; obvious typographical errors were corrected.

No part of this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the Palos Verdes Peninsula League of Women Voters and the candidates.

CITY of ROLLING HILLS

Two incumbents are running unopposed for re-election to the two open seats on the five-member Rolling Hills City Council. As a result, an election will not be held and the two candidates will serve new terms of office. Congratulations to:

Tom Heinscheimer

Godfrey Pernell

CITY of PALOS VERDES ESTATES

Four candidates are seeking two seats on the Palos Verdes Estates City Council; two are incumbents.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Each candidate was asked to provide his name, address, length of residence, occupation, and education and civic activities, and to respond to three questions. The questions asked of candidates for Palos Verdes Estate City Council are:

• What talents and strengths would you bring to the Council and City?
• PVE was awarded 51.47 million for the "acquisition and improvement of land for coastal areas, trails, and open space purposes" from the Los Angeles County Park, Beach, and Recreation Act of 1992. What would be your recommendations for expending these monies within the guidelines as set forth in the act and quoted above?
• What are the two most pressing issues you see facing the City in the next four to
• eight years, and how would you address each?

1472 Via Coronel, PVE; 23-year resident Businessman/Asset Manager 85, California State Polytechnic College; Certificate Program, Real Estate, UCLA

Activities: PVE Financial Advisory Committee; Peninsula Education Foundation Trustee; Education Foundation Computer Task Force; PV School District Site Advisory Committee; Peninsula High Boosters Club; PV Breakfast Club; PV Tennis Club; AYSO; Lunada Bay utile League Manager.

TALENTS AND STRENGTHS

• Experience in budgeting, financial planning and asset management is what I bring to the council. A positive approach to problem-solving as well as a positive relationship with city staff are high priorities. I am an advisor to pension trusts, publicly-held companies, as well as a Department of Labor appointed fiduciary for special large assets. It is this background of budgeting, masterplanning disciplines and stewardship of assets which I can add to the existing Council's skills.

 

PARKLAND. FUNDS

• It is important to understand that the City has $1.97 million in funds that are held in trust by Los Angeles County. If they are not used, they are 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 closed school sites to permanently protect them for use by future generations rather than losing the funds, but only after addressing all alternative issues.

 

PRESSING ISSUES

 

• Issue No. 1 is the impending problem created with the passage of Proposition 218 which jeopardizes the renewal of the City's Fire Benefit Assessment District, and the need for two-thirds voter approval of all bond/tax related components of city revenue. Both of these items must be addressed during the next four-year term; alternative sources must be explored as the City cannot be without stable funding for police, fire and paramedic services. I would reactivate the Financial Advisory Committee to assist the City Council in their analysis of available options.

Issue No. 2 is the completion of the Cities capital improvement program. I would give priority to the cost-effective upgrading of the City's infrastructure and demand careful oversight of its implementation to guarantee that the residents' tax dollars are being spent wisely.

1325 Granvia Altamira, PVE; 30 year resident Retired Hospital Administrator. BS, Business, Indiana State University; MS, Public Administration, University of Illinois; MPH, Hospital Administration, UCLA

Activities: Malaga Cove Little League; Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Board of Review; Former President, Peninsula Seniors; Los Angeles County Public Health commission; League of California Cities, Revenue & Taxation Committee

 

TALENTS AND STRENGTHS

1. During my first two terms on the City Council I have worked cooperatively with other Council members to implement ordinances and policies that directly affect the residents, the value of their property, and the future of our city.

• We developed solutions to many of the long-term financial problems of the city; it has never been in better financial condition.
• We reduced the cost of city government, including the cost of operating City Hall, and the contracts for Fire Protection and Legal Services
• The proceeds of the utility tax continue to be dedicated to capital improvements, especially replacing and expanding storm drains, thereby reducing the potential for expensive law suits such as we experienced in the past.
• We enjoy good labor relations with city employees. Even with lower operating budgets, we made modest increases in salaries, wages, and benefits.

  

PARKLAND FUNDS 

• I would identify high-risk properties on the bluff which could subject the City to expensive litigation and claims in the future, procure them, and convert them into open space.

 

PRESSING ISSUES

• In today's political climate and resident concerns about full disclosure in government, it is necessary for the City Council to assure there is openness in our City government. All public business should be conducted in an open public forum. Open City government guarantees more effective City government.

Passage of Proposition 218 threatens the ability of local governments to fund essential services. We must develop action plans to meet a potential reduction in City revenues. We must keep pressure on the State legislature to prevent actions that negatively affect City funding. We must develop contingency plans to run the City should the State further reduce our revenues.

2529 Via Olivera, PVE 22-year resident Director of Management Services, Municipal Government (20 years) BSAE (Engineering); MBA, Business Administration

Activities: City Council 8 years Mayor (twice). 4 years PVE Financial Advisory Committee. Land use/management consultant. Designed PVE automated land use and building permit system. Obtained for PVE nearly 2 million in grant funds (Proposition A). Originated concept of funding Fire and Paramedic services with benefit assessment district. Cub Master.

 

TALENTS AND STRENGTHS

 1. My strong background in municipal government, budgeting, finance, and land use coupled with my experience as YOUR Councilman and Mayor make me well qualified to continue serving our City. My experience and expertise fill an important void on the Council.

 

PARKLAND FUNDS

2. First, the amount now totals nearly 2 million dollars. Second, we have the grant monies to spend because of my personal efforts in working with the Proposition's authors to earmark funds for OUR City. The funds must, and will be spent, to acquire and maintain open space, and to improve the City's beach area. My first priority is to use the monies to improve our beach area. I don't favor acquisition of multi-million dollar bluff top properties (there are only about three left) that should be improved and placed on

the tax role.

 

PRESSING ISSUES

3.  Government finance will dominate the next four years. Proposition 218 turns our current funding sources upside down. Governmental finance and budgeting are two of my strongest areas of expertise. I look forward to the challenge. In addition and as a part of the necessary restructuring, we should place all or part of our Utility Tax with a tax-deductible alternative.

The second pressing issue looming before us is the maturing of our trees on residential property. This is a difficult issue and its resolution will require the cooperation of the Homes Association. I personally favor developing a series of "overlay districts" which identify the dominant characteristic of each portion of the City. In view-dominant areas, view preservation will be actively considered; in tree-dominant areas, views will still be considered, but will be proportionately less of a factor.

573 Via Del Monte, PVE; 26-year resident.

Agribusiness

UCLA graduate

Activities: St. Francis Episcopal Church – Vestryman, Sr. Warden, Lay Eucharist Minister; Board of Directors and Presidents (1996), Palos Verdes Golf Club; Board of Directors, Palos Verdes Homes Association.

 

TALENTS AND STRENGTHS

1. I offer my business background, experience as a community volunteer during a 26-year residency, commitment to serve all residents, and the time to implement that commitment. As Homes Association Director and former PVGC President, I understand a range of activities that affect all residents. I am a co-founder and partner of Sun Pacific Farming, a major citrus and table grape grower/ shipper in the San Joaquin Valley. Solutions to City fiscal and overall management challenges deserve input from one who is successful in the private sector. Now semi-retired, I offer both expertise and time to help solve those challenges.

 

Parkland Funds

• We have an opportunity to help PVE residents preserve the open space and parkland that drew us to this pastoral setting. There have been suggestions for bluff site purchases or long term leases of school sites. These have merit, yet may involve expenditure of all the fund corpus. I suggest that our present parkland deserves allocation of funds for improvement. Parkland in many areas of the City is an overgrown eyesore that could be improved for the enjoyment of those PVE residents living nearby. There should be public hearing before any decision is made.

 

Pressing Issues

• Fire and Police protection are basic services we all support. The Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment District terminates in 2001. However, since voter approval must be at a municipal election, renewal of this important protection cannot wait until 2001. Since the requirements of voting restraints of Proposition 218 could very well preclude renewal, we must study all ramifications of its potential demise and the need to communicate with all residents.

Police turnover rate is alarming due possibly to inadequate salaries. To preserve our police department compensation adjustments may attract and retain quality of officers.

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