I sat down with Cliff Numark about week ago to discuss issues facing the city of Torrance. Here are the highlights and some of the ideas Cliff said he would look into and implement if on the city council.
1. 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?
+A side by side analysis of city and school functions so we can consolidate service making them more efficient.
+Supports the Torrance School Bond Measure and will ensure there is oversight and transparency so citizens see where the money is being spent and ensure that the money is spent for building, repairs and school infrastructure.
+Seek practical solutions to add revenue to school independent funding base.
+ Past accomplishment as a Parks and Recreations Commissioner ensuring schools received top priority of the use of the plunge.
2.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?
+ Seek methods to retain and bring in more business to the city in order to increase revenue and maintain city services.
+ Advocates the city of Torrance have a customer service business center which can deal with complaints and a one-stop permit center to open a business within the city.
+ Inform businesses of local government programs that they are unaware of that can help and establish better communications for their business within the city.
+In particular look to retain, recruit and strengthen the health care industry, foreign businesses and the automotive industry which alone makes up 25% of the cities entire sales tax revenue base.
3. 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?
+ Conduct feedback surveys with businesses and residents in the area to see what would be best for them.
+Preserve historic tradition with historical preservation zones (HPZ) and ordinances.
+ Implement the Mills Act to give tax benefits to those in the HPZ.
+ Have someone trained in city staff to be knowledgeable in city preservation.
4. Many residents of Torrance suggest that the nearly decade long over development housing boom in Torrance has led to an increase in traffic congestion and a strain on municipal services throughout the city. Even currently there are still 6 large scale housing projects going on in the city that will make up for an additional 750 homes in Torrance. As a member of the city council what will you do to stop the over development of the city of Torrance , deal with the problems over development has caused and finally will Torrance ever regain that “small town feel” it once had?
+Compensate for bad over development decisions that have been made by improving current infrastructure.
+ Coordinate between north, south, east and west highways to synchronize lights. Accept responsibility for Hawthorn and PCH.
+ Implement the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control Softwear in Torrance which according to a UCLA study decreased travel time 12% and intersection delay time 32% in the city of Los Angeles.
+Optimize bus routes to meet the desire of the citizens of Torrance and placed advertisements on Torrance transit to increase city’s revenue.
5. Many Torrance resident have suggested that the city work to strengthen youth sports programs and other recreational activities for the younger generations of Torrance residents. What ideas do you propose to allow the youth to have more opportunities to enjoy all current and future programs Torrance will have to offer?
+ Decrease strain of impacted recreation field use by allowing recreational activities to take place on Torrance school fields during off hours.
+ Possible creation of a recreational field’s czar that would be responsible for overseeing off site usage of school fields and city property/fields.
+ Use Torrance 2.0, mass e-mail marketing, to give Torrance residents and city organizations a more than two week advantage in getting priority use of Torrance parks and creations facilities.
+ Start a city of Torrance Facebook page to get the youth involved within the city of Torrance.
Torrance Election 2008
"Because We Want More Than Sound Bites"
1 comment:
I am voting for Cliff Numark on June 3rd!
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