The 5th forum in a series of eight forums took place Monday May 12th at From the beginning it seems like certain candidates already knew the issues that were of most concern to South Torrance residents. Kurt Weideman brought up that he would preserve the character of neighborhoods within in the city, a common sentiment he has had throughout his entire campaign. Also Tim Goodrich and Rod Guyton both addressed how they would never approve the selling of jet fuel at Torrance airport and will be committed to keeping the hillside overlay (making sure someone can not build so much they tamper with another neighbors view).
The first question posed to all the candidates was how they would draw more ethnic members of the community to get involved in the city of Torrance. Cliff Numark and Kurt Weideman said they would use the Torrance Cultural Arts Center to put on more ethically diverse shows with Cliff adding that it would increase international trade to Torrance. Susan Rhilinger proposed giving more 1-1 attention though Torrance city cable and possibly making the programs in different languages. Rod Guyton boasted his credentials on how he has visited the continent of Asia 24 times and speaks Japaneses fluently which would help him establish better communications with that community. Finally Tim Goodrich says he is running because of diversity and would be willing to hire an assistant out of his own pocket to go out within the community to engage the youth and ethic cultures of Torrance.
The next question to come up was about the Hillside Overlay and would the candidate protect a home owners right to preserve the view they bought when they purchased a home. Susan R said it was the worst part of the job trying to decide what could or could not be done when it came to the development of a person's home. Mike Mauno disagreed and said every case is different, it was not the worst part of a council members job and he has seen more of these case than anyone else in the city of Torrance. Kurt Weideman and Rod Guyton said they were in complete agreement with the Hillside Ordinace. Kurt said he would make sure no development would adversely impact a homeowners right to air, privacy, light or view and Rod said he would propose having new homeowners who move in the area sign a one page document explaining the Hillside Overlay. Cliff Numark and Tim Goodrich want to seek balance with the ordinance and wants neighbors to discuss issues not be divided by them. Pat Furey is committed to fixing the floor area ratio in the Hillside Overlay to protect the view of homeowners in the area.
Leading off a question about a homeowners right to develop their property was question about a possible moratorium on current and future over development projects such as the one on Hawthorn and Newton in the city of Torrance. Susan Rhilinger wanted an exact definition for over-building and believes undoing a current decision would only invite lawsuits. Kurt Weideman and Gene Barnett wanted a commitment instead of moratorium on stopping over-development. Pat Furey sought a moratorium on high density housing in 2004 but it was rejected. Pat now however is content with the current direction of the city council and their views on over-development. Tim Goodrich wants a balance and intelligent approach when it comes to over-building and would want new developers to pay for some infrastructure cost in the city of Torrance. Rod Guyton wants a ban on high density housing. Mike Mauno only wants a moratorium based only on an emergency. Cliff Numark believes vacant property does nobody any good and believes a moratorium on current projects could cause lawsuits. Cliff would use Torrance 2.0 or e-mail marketing to inform residents of Torrance about development within the city of Torrance.
Towards the latter half of the forum a disgruntled questioner asked why we spend $142,000 on the Rose Float parade when we could be facing a possible deficit. Susan Rhilinger, Gene Barnett and Tim Goodrich says that due to their fiscal conservancy the Rose Float is something that could be cut. Kurt Weideman brought up that since 55-60% of our current budget is spent on public safety that may have to be cut. Pat Furey would leave it up to voters on what to cut including the Rose Float. Rod Guyton says his experience running a business would help him keep our budget sustainable and said he would try not to cut the Rose Float unless something such as city layoffs were to occur because of keeping the Rose Float. Mike Mauno brought up that an individual study reported the Rose Float brings in $480,000 in media coverage and thus he would not cut the Rose Float for it is a right of passage in Torrance. Cliff Numark would start with a clean slate when redoing the budget, looking at everything as possibly being cut in order to maintain order and stability for Torrance's fiscal health.
The last question to be asked was the familiar "What will you do about traffic ?" question which provided everyone at the forum with a refresher course on where the candidates stand. Kurt Weideman and Susan Rhilinger said they wanted Torrance to take ownership for Hawthorn and PCH and synchronize traffics lights all over the city of Torrance. Pat Furey added to Kurt and Susan's idea by saying those who owned corner properties pay for new right turn lanes to make traffic flow better. Rod Guyton had reservations for taking over Hawthorn and PCH because he feared that after the state gave the city a one lump some of money for taking over the streets the city of Torrance would be unable to find revenue to keep up with repairs. Tim Goodrich wants Torrance to be part of the L.A. County Traffic Management Center so the city can know what streets and traffic lights are in need of repair first. Mike Mauno want to use wireless technology to make traffic flow more smoothly. Cliff Numark would seek federal and state grants and make bus routes more desirable for residents of Torrance.
Questions were also asked about the candidates stances on Measure T and the Torrance Arts. The candidates stances on measure T can be seen in the Anza Elementary School Post and the candidates stances on Torrance Arts will be been in a future post.
Overall the South High School Forum had a mixture of new and old questions and was an overall success.
Torrance Election 2008
"Because We Want More Than Sound Bites"
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