Torrance Think Tank 2008: Pat Furey

Pat Furey is the forth 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.Furey's answers is provided below. Here now is Torrance Think Tank 2008 with Mr.Pat Furey.

1. A recent issue worrying many Torrance residents is the threat of the long-standing ban on jet fuel being sold at the Torrance airport being lifted. Lifting the ban is practically universal condemned by those who live near the airport as they suspect that if Torrance sells jet fuel they would only battle more loud jet noises flying over their houses disturbing their peace and disrupting their way of life. Mayor Scotto has already said he does not support lifting the ban on selling jet fuel. What is your position on this issue and if you support lifting the ban what do you say to those residents it would directly effect?

The issue of jet fuel sales at the airport bothers me for many reasons. The obvious reasons are safety, increased noise and environmental impact. The subtle problem is how and why this issue came about – basically – what is the agenda of those that are making this an issue?

Apparently a sub-committee was formed by the Airport Commission to study jet fuel – without direction from the City Council. Then, informational letters and questionnaires were sent to Homeowner Association presidents. I received one of the questionnaires, which was not created on city letterhead and/or mailed at city expense. And, even though it did not appear t be an “official” request for information, I provided it to the board of the NTHOA for action.

The action from the board was a unanimous objection to jet fuel sales at the Torrance Airport and full support for the Southwood-Riviera HOA in its opposition.

In the future things may change. However, information must be provided as to the need for jet fuel sales, as well as its impact on those most directly affected. At the present time there just has not been appropriate and/or compelling data that would support a change in current city “ban” of jet fuel at the airport.

2. California is going through massive budget cuts which affect everyday services many in the state are use to, one of them being public education. With the strain faced on our public schools what do you propose we do to make our public schools properly funded and more accountable with the money they receive? Would you consider a raise in property taxes, any other taxes or taking out bond debt to add more money to our schools? Also would you consider a voucher system in order to ease financial strains on our public schools?

I have publicly stated my support for an appropriate bond measure to bring our schools up to the standards our community deserves. Such a bond measure necessarily includes an increase in property taxes. However, what the public must know is that any increase in property taxes will be at the assessed value – not the market value of the property. So, a long-time homeowner will be paying substantially less tax than someone who recently purchased a home in Torrance.

My support for a bond measure is conditioned on proper oversight, which I will insist is provided.

The bond issue is separate and distinct from the present day budget cuts. The cuts to the 2008-09 school district budget are massive and will cause an immediate detrimental impact on the quality of our children’s education – larger class sizes, loss of programs, etc.

I have recently brought together the district, the school board, the Torrance Council of PTAs, and other concerned citizens to partner with the Torrance Education Foundation in a massive outreach to the community to help fund the current budget shortfall. Letters have already been sent to parents of students and to the business community seeking support. In the near future letters will be sent to every household in Torrance asking for financial help.

This out-reach is not the end of the financial crisis of our schools. However, it is a start.

In the future the city and the school district leaders must work together to resolve budgetary issues. Our schools have long been a source of pride in our community. It is horrible that the physical conditions of the school properties have been allowed to deteriorate. It is even worse that our state government has proposed balancing its budget shortfall on the backs of our children.

I will provide leadership to bridge the relationship between the two entities and continue to lobby our state leaders for more realistic funding for our schools.

3. Measure T, the telephone utility users’ tax will be placed on the ballot this coming June, many Torrance residents are tired of paying taxes knowing that government in general seems to take in money and than waste it only to ask for more money later on. Do you support measure T and if so how will you ensure that the additional tax dollars Torrance receives from this measure is used appropriately and that city of Torrance will not come begging back in 2010 for more money through higher taxes?

Actually, Measure T does not seek a tax increase of any kind. It merely is asking the voters to ratify a change in the wording of the present tax scheme to comport with a change in IRS language.

When the Utility Users Tax was created in the mid 70s, it was tied to specific IRS language, which was recently changed to include newer technology such as cell phones and voice over internet. The city must update the language or suffer the possibility of a loss of a very important revenue stream that may reach up to $8 million.

The money generated by the Utility Users Tax helps the city provide the important police, fire, recreation and other services our community demands. These are very important services that the city provides.

Finding another funding stream or cutting city services to make up for the utility users tax income would be most difficult. Therefore, I support Measure T and encourage all citizens to vote YES on this very important measure.

4. When it comes to traffic congestion you discussed that Torrance assume from the State of California responsibility for Hawthorne Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway. As a member of the city council how will you be able to convince the State of California to hand over the responsibility of Hawthorn Blvd and PCH to the city of Torrance and how will we as a city be able to pay for traffic fixtures that you suggest if Torrance assumes more traffic responsibilities?

Assuming control of Hawthorne Boulevard and PCH is just one important aspect of traffic control in our city. As I pointed out at the Chamber Forum, there is already movement from the state by way of an Assembly Bill that would actually streamline the process. This is not an unprecedented procedure. And, taking control of these two highways will not cost the city. Rather, the state will pay the city to take over control and responsibility.

Just a few years ago the city successfully negotiated Artesia Boulevard. Clearly, the city had the wherewithal to make the appropriate repairs to the infrastructure and regulate traffic flow on that busy street. And, Artesia Boulevard will be viable for the next 20 years. And, all of the Artesia repairs/improvements were completed with state funds and funds from other sources – not the city tax payers. The same can be achieved with the appropriate acquisition of Hawthorne Blvd. and PCH.

5. Complete the following statement “When I think of Torrance the first thing I think of is….”

This is a full-service community where quality of life is most essential. The residents and businesses in our city enjoy safe streets, great schools, and all of the other wonderful city services. Torrance is a great city. And, the present mayor and council have made many strides to improve every aspect of our government from responsibility to visibility.

For example, one of the first acts the mayor performed after his election was to create an Ethics and Integrity Committee to address city-wide concerns raised in the last few years. I am honored to have served on that committee and to have helped draft an ethics code for all elected and appointed officials in Torrance.

In addition, the city recently recognized businesses and volunteers in our city that help to make Torrance a better place to live, work and play. Providing recognition to these important elements of our community will help to ensure that Torrance remains the vibrant city it is.

Celebrating “Students in Government Day” is a wonderful way to involve our school children into the governmental process and at the same time forge a meaningful relationship with the school district.

We have come along way in the last two years. But, more needs to be done. And, I have the personal knowledge, skills and ability to get the job done.

6. Is there anything not addressed in the above questions that you would like Torrance residents to know about you personally or why you should receive one of the four votes we will cast on June 3rd 2008?

The issues that face us in Torrance are very apparent. In fact one would have to have been stranded on a desert island for the last few years to not recognize that public safety; traffic; overdevelopment; education; the environment; and public ethics are major issues in this city.

What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I have been advocating and fighting for resolution of the identified issues for many years.

As a homeowner association president for eight years, I have consistently advocated for quality of life issues in North Torrance. As a civil service and personnel commissioner, I have worked to ensure that our city and our school district have the best employees possible and that those employees are treated and compensated fairly. As a sometimes spokesperson for the coalition of homeowners associations I fought against the rampant overdevelopment – when it was occurring. And, as president or vice president of the Torrance Education Foundation for the last five years, I have raised well more than $1 million to benefit the children of the Torrance schools.

Analysis of Pat Furey's Answers:

Pat Furey’s detailed and elaborate answers were just what many Torrance residents were looking for when deciding who they should elect to the city council. It is comforting to know that Pat Furey is adamantly opposed to selling jet fuel at Torrance airport and how he took action with the North Torrance Homeowners association to fight there attempts to lift the ban. Pat’s work on the Torrance Education Foundation emphasizes his commitment to keeping our schools well-funded and a priority for the city as he supports the school bond measure. His explanation on measure T was precise and reasoned and I support his desire for all Torrance residents to vote Yes on T. Pat points out the success we had when acquiring Artesia Boulevard under the cities control and how traffic flow has greatly improved on that street. It is clear the same can be done with the intersection Hawthorn and PCH using only state and other funds, not tax payer money. Furey’s service on the Torrance Education Foundation, The Blue Ribbon Ethics and Integrity Committee and his work with North Torrance Home Owners Association to stop over-development in Torrance makes him a well rounded and experienced candidate for the Torrance City Council.

Torrance Election 2008
"Because We Want More Than Sound Bites"