Accountability

By Andrew Sarega

Areas we can improve to better serve the residents.

Many residents are unable to attend council meetings due to rigorous work schedules and family life. I would like to create an online system were all city council meetings can be streamed live via the internet. Meetings would also be archived for residents to view at a later date. I believe this will create more awareness of current city issues and allow people to become more involved in local government.

With the new revenue streams created by the sales tax increase, La Mirada needs someone to ensure the money is spent for what it was intended. I will do everything within my power to ensure the money is spent on things like infrastructure and not just dumped into the general fund to be spent anywhere. The current council has already demonstrated their ability to lead the city into financial crisis. It is time to ensure the residents of La Mirada will receive the accountability and fiscal responsibility they deserve. I promise that I will be that person to bring these things as well as transparency and prosperity back to La Mirada.

La Mirada was surveyed by a company recently and it received some high marks in areas for work that they have done. However, when the issue of transparency came up they received an "F" grade. The reality is very few people have the time or desire to get involved in local politics. I would argue all residents should have some knowledge of issues that plague their city, but I also understand the reality of the situation. Nevertheless, La Mirada is a place that should be an open book, free for all those who desire to learn about the city and its issues. This study would suggest otherwise. Being a reasonable person, I cannot believe that the best interest of the residents is being done when officials elected to the position of city council vote unanimously on every issue. There is never a dissenting vote, never an opposing view voted on during city council meetings, and this to me is cause for concern. It is concerning because all the policies voted on that brought La Mirada to a declared "fiscal emergency" were done with unanimous votes. This means everyone that served on city council during this period voted unanimously in the wrong direction. We need more open dialogue about issues the city faces as well as a council who will really take all points of view into consideration.