Kick-Off Speech

By Gary Silbiger

Vice-Mayor Gary Silbiger's Presentation at his Official Kick-Off Event that took place on Sunday, January 22, 2006.

I told you that I would increase environmental protection through the reduction of pollution, noise, and traffic and that I would ensure that major developments had only a minimal negative impact on our way of life. I have been a true environmental advocate on the council reducing the water pollution levels in the Ballona Creek and opposing harmful developments such as Culver City's successful lawsuit against the LAX expansion. But I've also increased recycling locations, changed our busses so that they all run on 100% natural gas, and been a leader in my support for the beautification of the Ballona Creek and the creation of the Baldwin Hills State Park, as you heard from Jim Lamm and Senator Murray. I am proud that my strong record on environmental issues has won me the endorsement of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, one of the leading environmental advocacy organizations throughout California.

I told you that I would improve the city's relationship with the school district through the development of a partnership and the allocation of financial support to youth programs. Once again, I have delivered. As a member of the City Council / School Board Liaison committee for all 4 years, I have worked closely with our school board on issues ranging from televising School Board meetings to planning Culver City's involvement in the National Youth Service Day. I have also supported maintaining or increasing our financial contributions to important programs such as school crossing guards, after-school programs, the teen center, and youth recreation. I am proud to be supported in my re-election campaign by 2 Culver City school board members, 2 former school board members, 2 community college board members, the chair of the Assembly Education Committee, and dozens of teachers and active parents.

I told you that I would promote balanced growth and development by taking into account the needs of the residents and alternative uses for the land and that's exactly what I've done. I am proud to have supported positive developments such as the new Kirk Douglas Theater, the Fox Hills Mall renovation, the new live/work complex in East Culver City, and several other developments in the beginning stages. However, when there has been a proposed development that is harmful to a community and that incites strong criticism from the nearby residents and business owners, I have often been a strong voice in opposition. In addition, I am proud to have been instrumental in the creation of the Advisory Committee on Redevelopment, a 9 member board that includes residents and business owners in the approval process for Redevelopment Agency developments. With their help we have achieved a climate with fewer conflicts and more participation.

I told you that I would support better social services and have delivered with a focus on senior citizens, youth, and the disabled. Our new senior center has been built and I have been a volunteer offering free legal advice and helping at many of their events. We are building a new Teen Center and providing more and better after school activities to keep our kids safe. And we are funding curb cuts and the Disability Services Coordinator to work with the Disability Advisory Committee on making Culver City responsive to their needs. I have also been a strong supporter of creating more parks such as our new dog park and the upcoming permanent skateboard park while making improvements to the existing ones.

I told you that I would always side with the community's right to know, especially in relation to health and safety issues and the posting of restaurant grades. With my vote on the Council, we have continued to require the posting of restaurant grades and it has made our community safer. However, I went even further by increasing public notification of City Council issues to residents that might be affected, posting attachments on the City's website so that all residents can be informed about city business before our meetings, and sending notices about budget hearings home with our students to increase participation. In addition, I started my own community e-mail list, now with over 500 members, who receive regular updates on upcoming events, city council agenda items, and other recent developments and have met with my constituents during 3 community dialogues in different neighborhoods.

I told you that I would increase the safety and security of all our neighborhoods, and have done just that. Working with our Police Chiefs, I have supported new community policing programs that involve residents and business owners in the process of protecting our neighborhoods. I am supporting the funding of our new Fire Station. And I successfully lobbied to keep every streetlight turned on even when money was hard to find, realizing that we cannot sacrifice the safety of our neighborhoods.

And finally, I told you that I would increase community involvement through the creation of new commissions and committees and am proud to say that we have a lot more people involved now than we did 4 years ago. In addition to the Advisory Committee on Redevelopment, we created the Homeless Committee, on my motion, to develop creative solutions to assist our homeless population. I am proud to have the support of the chair of that committee, Jay Handal. I initiated the Martin Luther King Day planning committee with over 20 active members that put together an inspirational community celebration last weekend. I am proud to have the support of the chair of that committee, Hyacinth McLeod. Through my motion we also restructured the Fiesta La Ballona Committee to include more participation, incorporated Human Relations to the work of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and added residents to the Traffic Committee. And I am proud to have the support of the chair of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee, Tom Camarella, and the chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Jeanette James.

Having accomplished all 8 of my goals, I knew that I had to run for re-election with a new set of ideas to further improve our community. After talking to hundreds of people about their ideas for our city, I am proud today to unveil my 8 point plan for my second term.

1. Local Animal Control. We in Culver City are proud that we are a "full service" city with our own police department, fire department, sanitation department, bus service, and school district. We would never think of contracting out police services to the County Sheriffs or our kids' education to LAUSD, so why do we entrust the health and safety of our families to the LA County Animal Control Office? I have been working with the Friends of the Culver City Animals and Deborah Weinrauch for over 6 months to develop a local animal control program and am proud to have been appointed as a member of the new city committee investigating this issue.

2. Light Rail. I am honored to be Culver City's representative on the Exposition Construction Authority, working with Supervisor Burke, Mayor Villaraigosa, and community leaders to finally bring light rail to Culver City, and we're almost there. Light rail not only helps the environment by reducing air pollution, but it also reduces traffic congestion, creates jobs, helps Culver City businesses, and aids low income workers who can't afford to own a car and those who cannot drive. We will have light rail by the end of my second term and it will be very good for Culver City.

3. Youth Advisory Committee. Although we have been successful at increasing participation, 1 group that has yet to get involved is the student/youth community. 1 year ago I proposed the formation of a Youth Advisory Committee so that the council and staff would receive input into decisions that impact them. The Parks and Recreation Commission, headed up by Jeanette James and Vicki Daly Redholtz, has been meeting with students and reviewing this item and it should come back to the City Council for implementation soon.

4. Homeless Services. I am proud to be a founding member and an active participant in the city's homeless committee. We have been working to find creative solutions to help those in need. Although we have already begun to take action by conducting a survey of the population and hiring a service provider, there is still so much to do. I look forward to continuing this process over the next few years and hope that by the end of my second term we will have significantly decreased homelessness in Culver City and throughout the region.

5. Environmentally-Friendly Development. In order to further protect our environment, I have proposed 2 new ideas that are currently under review by the council and city staff. The first is to implement Green Building Design Standards, similar to those instituted by cities throughout the country. Not only would this help the environment, it would also save the city money and keep employees healthy. The second is to implement a city policy that for every piece of green space eliminated, a new piece of green space of equal size must first be created.

6. Affordable Housing. With housing prices skyrocketing throughout the region, it is important that Culver City continue to expand affordable housing options throughout our city. I have been a huge proponent of mixed use developments, live/work developments, and safeguarding affordable spaces like our mobile home parks. Many of our residents, including senior citizens, rely on these options in order to continue living in our city. We must not let them down.

7. Supporting New Businesses. I am proud of Culver City's new position as a destination for people throughout the region. Town Plaza, free summer concerts, the 2 new live theater companies, new restaurants and art galleries have allowed us to attract a whole new clientele. However, there is much more to do. I would like to see at least 1 large concert venue, many more independent restaurants and coffee shops, and even a few bookstores.

8. Human Relations. As a diverse city, we must do our part to make everyone feel included and ensure people of all races, ethnicities, religions, and distinct backgrounds get along. We have already begun with the Martin Luther King celebration, the Week of Racial Equality, and the Human Relations work of the commission. However, there is more to be done. I'd like to see more city sponsored events to celebrate our diversity throughout the year with a more serious commitment to implement our human relations goals of equality, diversity and tolerance.

Through the implementation of these 8 goals, we will continue to make Culver City the best place to live and work. When we all work together to strive for excellence, there is no limit to our collective potential. I am proud of every vote that I have taken over the past 4 years, but I am even prouder of the work that we have all been able to do together outside of the council chambers. The sense of community is what people love about Culver City, and I know that we will work to make it even stronger in the years to come. As I officially kick-off my campaign for re-election here today, I ask each and every one of you to join me in fulfilling this vision of true community. Thank you.