I've lived in the South Bay for over 50 years, 17 years as a Manhattan Beach resident. As a longtime community volunteer (15+ years) and City Commissioner (9 years), I've devoted countless hours helping to protect Manhattan Beach 's unique character and preserving and enhancing our very special quality of life (near and dear to my heart are our children and our seniors).
Many of the candidates say what they would like to do if elected. However, if you want to know what I'll do as your City Councilmember, look at what I've done as your Mayor and City Councilmember, and previously as a volunteer City Commissioner and longtime community volunteer. Promises made, promises kept.
As a Financial Controller and Chief Financial Officer for over 30 years, I've provided vital financial advice/oversight during our city's difficult budget challenges. As a former Planning Commissioner, I worked hard to protect against the adverse impacts of overdevelopment on traffic, parking and our quality of life. I also worked to preserve our small-town atmosphere and unique neighborhoods by encouraging remodels over teardowns, to ensure that all development is in scale with our neighborhoods. As a former Parking & Public Improvements Commissioner, I helped develop comprehensive traffic management programs to reduce traffic congestion in our neighborhoods and make our streets safer. As a former Cultural Arts Commissioner, I helped expand our city's visual arts, performing arts and arts education programs that enrich our lives.
I've been a strong supporter of our Police and Fire Departments. I'm a graduate of, and serve on the Manhattan Beach Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Board of Directors (founding member). The CERT team assists our first responders during a major disaster (earthquake, fire, flood or terrorist act) and assists/educates our community on disaster preparedness. I'm a graduate of the Manhattan Beach Community Police Academy and a longtime Manhattan Beach Police Department Neighborhood Watch Block Captain. Neighborhood watch is the “eyes and ears” that report suspicious activity to, and communicates information from our Police Department to ensure the safety of our community.
I've been a strong supporter of our youth and education programs. I serve on the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Board of Directors which recognizes Manhattan Beach “Students of the Month” for their academic excellence and awards generous scholarships (from private donations) to outstanding Mira Costa High School seniors. I serve on the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, which works with our School District Representatives, Teachers, PTAs, the Education Foundation and other organizations for our schools' academic excellence. I'm the City Council liaison to Pacific Elementary School. I'm very proud to be an Eagle Scout (Boy Scout's highest honor).
I've been a strong supporter of our seniors and I'm a volunteer at our city's Older Adults programs. I'm an active member (the youngest at 60) and volunteer of the Manhattan Beach Senior Citizen's Clubs. I helped distribute 72-hour Emergency Survival Kits (and discussed disaster preparedness) to residents of the Manhattan Seniors Villas and Manhattan Beach Ross Terrace Seniors Apartments.
I'm a graduate and active volunteer of Leadership Manhattan Beach (Class of 2005), a nine-month program that develops community leaders and performs projects of substantial benefit to our community. My class' project was a documentary DVD (“Bridging the Generations”) which featured distinguished Manhattan Beach seniors describing our city's history and was filmed/edited by Mira Costa High School media arts students.
For many years, I've been a community volunteer for Earth Day events, Pet Appreciation Day, the annual Hometown Fair and 10K Run, and numerous Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks & Recreation Department events. Leadership is about getting involved in our community.
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