1.What would you do, if anything, to change the neighborhood council system?
I favor secession and real democratic representation, not baby-steps. Short of secession I would insure that the voting is held in a legal manner so that the representatives of the neighborhood organizations are legal and truly empowered to deal with the issues in their communities like planning and development.
2. Do you support community control of development? If so, would you make any exceptions?
Yes, the only exceptions would be in cases of eminent domain where the transportation or other special needs of the region are impacted.
3. Section 8 housing is being cut back and tenants share of the rent is being raised from 30 to 40 percent. What would you do, if elected, to address this problem?
Section 8 housing if a federal program but it should be maintained at the current levels. Section 8 is a voluntary program for landlords and we should not make unexpected new demands on the elderly, poor and disabled once they are qualified for these programs.
4. How would you promote low-income housing throughout the city, including Venice?
By increasing the development of single family homes and getting the next stage of building LA behind us. The only thing that will control housing cost is more housing, less development will raise the cost of housing and decrease the available options. To offset the demands made by increased housing on the environment, I would encourage a fast track system for individuals to get their own homes built and allow for smaller more unique developments to get moved forward in hopes of maintaining the current density.
5. Many Housing and Urban Development (HUD) buildings are being privatized and residents evicted. What would you do about this?
6. Venice's largest low-income housing complex, Lincoln Place, is being depopulated and may be demolished. Would you support the tenants' efforts to save it? How?
Condo-ize it and get homeowner loans for the tenants to buy the place.
7. What is your position on the future of LAX and Santa Monica Airport?
I support a long-term approach to solving the transportation problems of the region and by endorsing high speed trains statewide we could reduce the burden placed on LAX. The cost for the renovation is too high compared to the benefits. Spreading air-traffic to the north is a must for economic and geographic reasons.
8. Do you support rail transit on the westside, such as, extension of the Green Line and building of the Exposition Line? How would you support bringing cheap, safe, efficient mass rapid transit to more riders in Venice and other westside locations?
Yes, extend and skip Santa Monica if they don’t want the Metro. More transit, less cars. Reduce the cost of mass transit to the level of Dash, like a quarter or fifty-cents. Ridership increases save money and reduce traffic so we should be paying people to stay off the road if necessary.
9. If residents of Venice submit a petition for reestablishing cityhood, what would be your position?
Absolutely, I support self-determination through democracy and cityhood for the smaller regions of LA is the only way for communities to take responsibility for the future of their own towns. Secession is my number one issue and as mayor I will not block the “will” of the people.
10. How would you solve homelessness without punitive action against the homeless?
Get them off the streets and decentralize the homeless population from downtown. My current view is that the bureaucratic decisions of the past have led to a ghetto management approach to solving this problem and we need to put a face on the problem and solve this issue first and foremost. A cabinet level position in my administration will be a Homeless Czar and we will make a difference.
11. Do you support or oppose rent control? Do you support or oppose vacancy decontrol?
Rent control is the only safeguard that poor people have to maintain their personal budgets, however, the real estate values are increasing This is placing a pressure on property owners to sell their properties. This in turn creates larger economic problems for the new property owners who have larger mortgages. Residential tenants should not carry the burden beyond their original terms and reasonable increases, just like Prop 13.
12. Do you support or oppose further expansion of Playa Vista?
If there are environmental reasons why this development should not expand, then I would oppose the expansion. Otherwise I would allow the community to decide on the scale and value of the expansion.