Mike Mauno is the fifth to answer the questions posed to him by Torrance Think Tank 2008. The answers to the following questions have been posted verbatim. Analysis on Mr.Mauno's answers will be provided soon. Here now is Torrance Think Tank 2008 with Mr. Mike Mauno
1. Governments ability to respond to the wishes and desires of it citizens is always a key to making a city prosperous and its residents happy. How will you make government more accountable to it citizens and what would you propose in order to make citizens feel at ease when discussing ideas with local government officials?
Firstly, one needs to be available and responsive. Next you have to listen to what the need(s) might be. Third, you need to provide options and educate the requester. By educate I mean you have to explain why the situation might be happening and if there is a solution, it might create a more undesirable side effect.
- Torrance prides it self as a great place to run a business and achieve the American dream. What would you do to strengthen existing business ties within in the city of Torrance ? Are there any businesses in particular you would encourage to come to Torrance or would you try to decrease the flow of new business coming into the city in order to strike more of a balance between the residential and commerce aspect of Torrance? If you plan to expand business within the city how will you account for the increase in traffic and congestion as a result of the new businesses?
I would continue the outreach and programs the city is already undertaking. The one business I would like to encourage to come to Torrance is the entertainment business, i.e. movie production, specifically animation. This is a clean and high paying type of jobs generator that needs to have a large labor force. If you have ever looked at the credits to any movie animation, you will see the numbers of individuals who worked on the project. We have some of the best young minds in the country who happen to be top notch computer experts. The match is perfect.
- Historic Downtown Torrance is considered by many in the city to be a treasure that should be protected and preserved.. At the same time we also went to keep Torrance a fresh and exciting city allowing new people to visit and enjoy all that Torrance has to offer. How will you attract new people to visit Torrance and at the same time preserve the historic tradition of the city?
I would continue doing what the city has started. First, awareness. Have you noticed the signs when approaching Old Torrance? That was my idea and we made it happen. Next I recommended architectural guidelines for the old stately homes. Why this is important, because if someone will need to re-build a home, the architectural style will be maintained and will fit the neighborhood.
- When it comes to traffic congestion many have suggested that Torrance assume from the State of California responsibility for Hawthorne Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway . As a member of the city council do you believe this is a good idea and what else do you propose to improve traffic flow throughout the city? Also how will we as a city be able to pay for traffic fixtures that you suggest if Torrance assumes more traffic responsibilities from the state government?
I do not believe this is a good idea. I would like to take Hawthorne Blvd. as an example. The state of California did a re-surface project there approximately 10 years ago. Many sections of the roadway are all ready cracking, ahead of schedule. If Torrance would have received ownership of this roadway 10 years ago, we will be spending tens of millions in the next ten years to improve it again. The taxpayers of Torrance will pay for this repair, but the people of the region use it. This is a regional highway and the region needs to pay for its repair. It might be great initially, but in the long run it will cost the people of Torrance more that their fair share.
- Complete the following statement "When I think of Torrance the first thing I think of is...." Growing up in the community as a little boy riding his bike to downtown Torrance and playing in the open fields
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