To date, I have received further replies to my pledge query from 7 candidates for the MVCC Board [Sara Roos, running in Zone 4, was the first out of the gate here and her responses covered in a previous post]. Here they are, in the candidates' own words, and in order received:
Melissa Stoller [Zone 3]: Absolutely, and I've already completed Treasurer training.
Rob Kadota [at large]: Darn it. I just finished responding to your email when my computer shut down…not sure I’m going to be as articulate this time around. Short answer is “Yes” to all of your questions. Issues always have at least two perspectives that are important to consider and often there are more than just two perspectives that need to vetted/heard by the public and the board. The Mar Vista Community is composed of a variety of neighborhoods and zones that vary significantly. Planning documents should help guide the preservation of a neighborhoods assets while guiding improvements to areas of deficit/concern. I was pleased to be on the MVCC Board when we self-initiated an update to the Mar Vista part of the Palms-Mar Vista-Del Rey Community plan. While the effort didn’t result in an update it did demonstrate an engaged and pro-active community. NC must be whenever possible pro-active. There is always a steady stream of issues and problems we’ll face however without looking/working longer term and future oriented we can get stuck in just being responsive/reactionary… and that can be exhausting and unproductive. As a parent, cyclist and beekeeper I’m all too aware of our lack of green space and adequate recreation space. I’m always amazed at what other cities have done in creating pocket parks and large diverse green space. The City of LA can do better. While the City of LA can be incredibly bureaucratic there are significant and important opportunities for influence. A strong and dedicated board of directors can seize those opportunities and with forth thought and planning create new ones too. Ok before my computer crashes again… can’t remember the last time that happened. Maybe when my dog ate my homework?
Thanks for attending last night and the thoughtful questions below.
Rob
Alek Lev [Zone 6]: It was very nice to meet you last night! You are obviously a passionate voice in the community and an expert in the workings of local government. If elected to the council, I'll be reaching out to you on day one for guidance. These are great questions, and I'm happy to answer them:
1. Will you pledge to listen to all the community first and foremost; place our common good above your personal biases and/or causes?
I'm running to join the Mar Vista Community Council for the express reason of understanding the lives and needs of my neighbors, communicating those needs to the Council and the City, and developing and implementing projects to make Zone 6 an even more family-friendly corner of Mar Vista. In all things, the common good will be placed above any personal biases and causes.
2. Will you pledge your unequivocal and steadfast support for our Community Center at Historic 62 Project as it moves forward?
Fire Station 62 and the land it occupies holds an important place in the history of Mar Vista, and I strongly support the work of Friends of Historic Fire Station 62 and their dedication to establishing a much-needed community center.
3. Will you pledge to protect our scarce and precious local park and school field space resources from development encroachment?
With no great Mar Vista Zone 6 parks or playgrounds for my two sons, and with no dog parks for my neighbors, the last thing that we need is the encroachment of large developments into our natural spaces. And as someone who grew up without a blade of grass on my Manhattan public school courtyard, I know the importance of wide open, natural-grass field spaces, and will work to preserve them at our Mar Vista schools.
4. Will you pledge to take the neighborhood council treasurer training so our MVCC is not left high and dry with frozen funds ever again?
If elected, I will sign up for the next available Empower LA Leadership Academy Funding Workshop for Neighborhood council treasurers.
Sarah Auerswald [at large]:
1. Will you pledge to listen to all the community first and foremost; place our common good above your personal biases and/or causes?
I will pledge to listen to the whole Community - and actively seek out communities that have felt left out or overlooked in the past. I will do that to the best of my abilities. And I pledge to use my best judgement about what is the common good, knowing that even reasonable people will disagree on what constitutes the best course of action.
2. Will you pledge your unequivocal and steadfast support for our Community Center at Historic 62 Project as it moves forward?
I absolutely pledge to support this project and have done so in the past already. I want very much for it to move forward and become the shining centerpiece of the community that I know it can be.
3. Will you pledge to protect our scarce and precious local park and school field space resources from development encroachment?
As you know from past experiences with our local schools, I have fought to keep development off that land. And parks are not the places we need to be building anything except more jungle gyms.
4. Will you pledge to take the neighborhood council treasurer training so our MVCC is not left high and dry with frozen funds ever again?
I will take the training. And furthermore, I pledge to keep an eye on the bookkeeping each month, because I feel it is the basic duty of the Board to know where the money is before they can spend it.
Sherri Akers [at large]:
1.
Will you pledge to listen to all the community first and foremost; place our common good above your personal biases and/or causes?
Yes – It is our responsibility to make sure that the community is well informed, that issues are thoroughly vetted and that we take policy positions that represent the will of the community – even if they differ with our personal point of view.
2.
Will you pledge your unequivocal and steadfast support for our Community Center at Historic 62 Project as it moves forward?
Yes - I am excited about the potential of converting the Historic Fire station 62 so that it becomes a much needed community center.
3.
Will you pledge to protect our scarce and precious local park and school field space resources from development encroachment?
Yes – as reflected in my vote on the MI motion.
4.
Will you pledge to take the neighborhood council treasurer training so our MVCC is not left high and dry with frozen funds ever again?
Yes - but I believe we need more than that. Our current accounting process just meets the minimum required by DONE. I propose that we follow accepted accounting practices. The Treasurer should plan an initial budget that factors in expenses and funding motions that reoccur yearly and should provide at every Board meeting -
- a current bank account statement that includes the account balance
- a recap of pending approved expenses and the amount in ongoing operating expenses
- a report showing funds currently available less forecasted expenses
- show that the above reconciles with what has been reported to DONE in the MER’s
Bill Scheding [Zone 3]: I agree wholeheartedly and Pledge To, If elected, uphold these values.
Susan Klos [at large]:
Hi, Sharon - I’m sorry for the delayed reply. I’ve had email issues (thank you, Frontier.) Answers are in the body of your email.
1. Will you pledge to listen to all the community first and foremost; place our common good above your personal biases and/or causes?
Of course.
2. Will you pledge your unequivocal and steadfast support for our Community Center at Historic 62 Project as it moves forward?
Yes. I’d love to see this come about.
3. Will you pledge to protect our scarce and precious local park and school field space resources from development encroachment?
Absolutely.
4. Will you pledge to take the neighborhood council treasurer training so our MVCC is not left high and dry with frozen funds ever again?
Accounting is not my forte, in fact, I’d rather go to the dentist than itemize a spreadsheet or reconcile a bank account. I will, however, take this training. Do you know where I can find information on the next training session? I’d like to get it on my radar.
