Torrance City Council Races: Heidi Ashcraft

Heidi Ashcraft

Heidi Ashcraft caught my attention precisely because she has served on the Torrance School Board as well as a recent appointee to the Torrance City Council.

Not only is she experienced, but her dedication to Torrance education cannot be ignored, including her service on the SCROC oversight board. With state funding about to end for the regional occupation programs, Torrance needs able leadership to ensure ongoing safeguards in funding for vocational training programs.

I wanted to vet her opinions on key issues facing the city council, particularly the pension issue, along with her values and her vision for the city.

1. Why are you running for city council this year? Did you ever plan on running for office before?

#1.  I’m running for Torrance City Council because this is the first time in the history of Torrance there are 4 council seats up for election, a new mayor and new city clerk, this is a critical election!  I have volunteered in Torrance in many capacities over 36 years, first with my children in their sports, PTA and scouting, then on many non profit boards such as the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation Advisory Board and Torrance Coordinating Board and Torrance Chamber PAC.   For 14 years I have been on the Torrance South Bay YMCA Board of Managers, elected as that organization’s first woman Chair of the Board serving in that capacity for 3 years.  In 1995 I  was first elected to the Torrance Board of Education and re-elected two more times serving a total of 12 years, I did not seek a 4^th term. I had the honor of being appointed to the Torrance City Council in December 2013. I believe I have the governance experience necessary, at a time of great turnover, to lead as a Torrance City Council Member. I love this city and I want to help it thrive.

2.  You are a registered Republican. Why?

#2.  I believe in small government, personal responsibility, supporting the Constitution, less taxation and being fiscally conservative, always maintaining a balanced budget, with reserves.

3. Tell us about your prior professional/political experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?

#3.  My husband and I have owned our business, Ashcraft Design, since 1986.  I am the Chief Financial Officer of the company. For 12 years I served on the Torrance Board of Education acting as President, Vice President and Clerk several times.  When I was first elected the budget was approximately $200 million. During my 12 years on the Board hard financial decisions had to be made as funding became less and less. The budget was always balanced.  When I left the Board of Education the budget was down to about $165 million.  I had the opportunity to research, interview and hire 2 Superintendents for TUSD.

      For 11 years I served on the So. Calif. Regional Occupational Center Board of Education (SCROC or So Cal ROC).  First as a Board Member representing Torrance Board of Education then as an appointed Board Member representing adult students and high school students outside the City of Torrance and the JPA.  Several times over the 11 years on this Board I was President, Vice President and Clerk.  The budget has always been balanced in times of funding cuts and while I was President of the Board of Education 2012-2013, all debt was retired.  I headed the Superintendent search, interview and hiring of Dr. Christine Hoffman for SCROC in 2004.  It was announced in Dec. 2012 funding for SCROC would be eliminated.  I went to Senator Ted Lieu in January 2013 and garnered his support in Sacramento to get the attention of Gov. Brown to understand the importance of SCROC to students, businesses that partner with the school and the entire South Bay.  Because of these efforts a 2 year reprieve (termed maintenance of effort) was made. 

 

I have been constantly involved in the process of “saving SCROC”, visiting Sacramento and speaking with legislators, lobbyists and the State Budget Analyst’s Office.   I was appointed to the Torrance City Council Dec. 17, 2013.  In January 2014 I asked for the support of my fellow council members and got it to form a committee to work with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce and South Bay Cities COG to bring awareness to all South Bay City Chambers of Commerce and business community of the South Bay of the funding issue and closure of SCROC.  Immediately the South Bay Cities COG became involved and is working diligently with the entire South Bay letting Sacramento know SCROC cannot be lost.  Our efforts have been positive and we look forward to new information soon.

All debt retired? Wow! We need that kind of balanced budgeting in the city.

 4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic activity in the City of Torrance.

#4.  I have been endorsed by the Torrance Chamber of Commerce PAC and BizFed PAC.

BizFed is the Los Angeles County Business Federation, a cross section of entities including Chambers of Commerce, trade groups and economic development organizations.  The city needs to be proactive in pursuing new businesses as well as maintaining the many businesses we have. The Torrance Department of Economic Development needs to be expanded in order to do this. There are key individuals in Torrance and the So. Bay with amazing credentials that already work with the business communities in other countries and states that can be used as consultants as “bridge builders” for our city.   As a Council Member I would personally visit businesses to determine what Torrance is doing right and what Torrance is doing wrong to get or retain their business.  I would also have a strong relationship with Sacramento, as I have for SCROC, and work to change the business climate in Calif.

 5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety in Torrance.

#5. Torrance is the 10^th safest city with like populations in the nation.  Our police department is proactive and our citizens like it this way.  There has been an increase in crime in Torrance which is cause for concern.  Resident involvement in making the police aware of suspicious activity is key to fighting neighborhood burglaries.  AB109, the early release of criminals, has had an effect on Torrance.  Torrance Police Dept. has staffed up to address this issue by visiting those who have been released and moved to Torrance, within 2 days of their residence here to let them know if they choose to stay here they have to be good citizens and will be watched. I am totally supportive of police and fire departments having the equipment, resources and training needed to keep our city safe.  These men and women put their lives on the line day and night for the residents of Torrance and I am grateful for them.

 6. There are growing revelations about the city's massive pension liabilities -- $400 million, an online reports confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least $100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?

#6.  I believe pensions along with salaries should be handled in negotiations.  I will not change an employee’s pension from what that employee signed on for at his/her time of hire, that is a contract that should be kept. The City of Torrance has begun pension reform for new hires and that should continue, with employee contributions and age adjustments to retirement.  Pensions are a concern for Torrance as well as all cities.  There are those who want residents to think Torrance is on the “brink of bankruptcy”.  It is not.  We always have to vigilant with our money as we have been. May 1, 2014 MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE wrote about Torrance and its state of economy with the loss of Toyota.  It states “The city’s stable assessed value (AV) should not change significantly with Toyota’s departure.  The city’s assessed valuation is $24.9 billion for 2014.  Its assessed valuations stayed healthy throughout the economic downturn, declining only one year before resuming modest, but stable growth…moveable capital associated with the employees, could decline somewhat but not enough to materially harm the city’s already strong tax base.”  I am proud of Torrance and will work to continue the reforms with salaries and pensions as needed to keep Torrance the great city it is.

 

 7. How have residents and prospective voters responded to your campaign?

 

#7.  I have been blessed with a wonderful group of volunteers, more than 35 that have walked their precincts, and many others working in other ways to see me elected.  I have been endorsed by:  Torrance Police Association and Fire Fighters Association (I have not received money from them); Torrance Chamber of Commerce PAC; BizFed PAC, Mayor Frank Scotto, Former Mayors Dee Hardison and Ken Miller; Former Council Members:  O’Donnell, Witkowsky, Rossberg; Numark, Nakano, Lieu, Messerlian, Applegate, Guyton; Torrance School Board Members:  Steffen, Lee, Wermers, Deutsch, Ragins; Supervisor Don Knabe; Councilman Gene Barnett; Former School Board Members: Sargent, Ernst, Kuwahara, Driskill; Former Torrance Chamber Chairs:  Wolowicz, Oberholzer, Frew; Former City Treasurer Linda Barnett. Too many residents and voters to write down. My husband, Dan Ashcraft, is working very hard as my campaign manager.   I am extremely grateful for all of the support I have been given and continue to receive.

 

Ashcraft's wide array of endorsements is nothing to sniff at.

I do not agree her affirmations that the city of Torrance is on firm fiscal standing. With over 600 employees taking in $100k a year, the pension liabilities pressing on the city simply cannot be ignored. Still, her record on fiscal discipline while serving on the Torrance School Board should not be ignored, either.

Waters at LMU on the NSA

"The NSA can go
straight to hell!"
That's what she DIDN'T
say.

Last month, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles, Torrance) moderated a forum at Loyola Marymount University on the invasive National Security Administration (NSA) into the daily lives of ordinary Americans.

The federal program collecting information on almost every citizen has gone too far, with encroachments into our Internet searches as well as monitoring our phone calls and emails. Combatting terrorism is a necessary evil which requires interventionist policies, but President Obama’s current domestic program far exceeds the proper balance of security and privacy. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and the purported benefits of massive data collection have worn away our individual liberties.

On a related note, moderation of any kind is a foreign idea altogether with Congresswoman Waters, an excessively illiberal (and yet very liberal) polarizing politician who once threatened to nationalize oil companies in open committee on camera, and who shouted “The TEA Party can go straight to hell!” at a jobs forum in Inglewood, CA.

Last year, following President Obama’s second inauguration, Waters also commented on the President’s political campaign apparatus, Organizing for Action:

And that database will have information about everything on every individual in ways that it’s never been done before.

Perhaps before indicting the federal government’s invasion of our privacy, Waters would like to explain why the Democratic Party political machine has retained so much information about American citizens, too. She should then expose the growing invasion of our privacy through the Affordable Care Act, which will require taxpayers to register their medical information as well as earned income.

Instead of discussing the pros and cons (as well as purposes and concerns) related to domestic spying, it would have been refreshing as well as consistent and efficient if Rep. Waters had stood up and shouted “The NSA can go straight to hell!”

Horror Stories of Obamacare: Massachusetts

Not just Oregon, nor Maryland and Rhode Island, but now the state Obamacare website Massachusetts has failed. Since October 2013, when the health care exchanges were supposed to be  open and ready for business, Massachusetts residents have confronted the broken-down Massachusetts Health Connector, which has connected no one to better health care.

The website is beyond repair, according to sources, and Massachusetts has decided to scrap their first site and set up another one.

Of course, failures with state-sponsored health care are nothing new. Conservative columnist Jeff Jacoby itemized the ongoing failures of RomneyCare, the "model for the nation" per the governor-turned-Presidential candidate who signed the law. Jacoby sounded off on the longer waiting periods, the growing drain on state coffers because of "safety-net" users (and abusers), plus the growing number of doctors who will not receive new patients. Furthermore, RomneyCare did not diminish the number of patients filling up Massachusetts emergency rooms.

Following lawsuits and refusals to pay, Beacon Hill is starting over with another website.

At the same time, the Bay State will prepare connections with the federal exchange in case the new state exchange (fresh of the shelf, according to the Daily Caller).

Massachusetts already wasted $200 million on the first failed Massachusetts Health Connector site.

State Rep Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) blasted the massive waste of state funds, especially for a state which already struggles under the highest health care costs. Even after comprehensive price controls passed in 2012, Bay state health care costs are soaring.

The national website, Healthcare.gov, was a disaster, and now state exchanges need to be exchanged, and there is little evidence that Healthcare.gov 2.0 will be any improvement.

The Massachusetts legislature wants to sponsor another state website while aligning the federal exchange to take over in case the new site is not ready by November 2014.

By November 2014, though, will there be any Democrats left in Boston who will want to stay connected with Obamacare? Or in Washington, for that matter?

Torrance City Council Race: Alex See

At first, I had no idea what to think when I learned about Malaysian-born Torrance resident Alex See.

I knew so little about him, compared to the other candidates whom I was researching, and it seemed to me that he was ill-prepared for his run for Torrance City Council. After all, he was on a business trip earlier this year, while other candidates were already prepping their campaigns with inaugural dinners.

In January, I invited him to come the school board meeting, along with other city council candidates.

Even though he had been overseas at the time, and had just returned home the night before, Alex arrived at the school board meeting, and gave me the opportunity of meeting him. Sharing his concerns about education as well as greater civic engagement from the Asian-American community in Torrance, Alex

A small businessman (which he conveniently advertised at the North Torrance Home Owners Association two weeks ago) as well as engineer, Alex See has been a city fixture for many years.

Unlike some of the younger candidates for office, as well as the  more seasoned public officials, See promotes a semblance of honor and respect, willing to listen to others, considering the key needs of small businesses and employers in a city where regulations, fees, and taxes can cause more harm than good.

The fact that he took my calls and came to a public forum to speak with me was enough to win my vote.

Here are his answers to seven questions which I posed to him about himself, his campaign, and his plans once he gets elected:

1. Why are you running for city council this year? Did you ever plan on running for office before?

 

I am running for office because I want to give back to the community and to serve the city that my family and I call home. My family and I love living in Torrance because it is a diverse, well-balanced and safe community with an excellent school district.  I have not seriously considered running until I read that that our mayor and most councilmembers are encouraging diversity on the council to represent the city (ref. Daily Breeze’s article).  For many years I have volunteered my time and resources to be an integral part of the success of this community. Therefore, I am running for Torrance City Council because I know that my unique background will add a different perspective to examining city issues and solutions. 

 

2.  You are a registered Republican. Why?

 

I am registered as a Republican because I believe in being fiscally responsible, small government, low taxes and family values. 

 

3. Tell us about your prior professional/political experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?

 

I’ve served the Torrance Community as a Water Commissioner for 8 years.  As a water commissioner, I have worked with fellow commissioners to ensure City continues to provide low water rates (2nd lowest in the region), high quality and reliable potable water to its residents and businesses. I’ve also supported our amazing school district as a committee member on the TUSD Bonds Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, TUSD Facilities and Asset Review Committee and high school Site Council to ensure that our students have the proper means of gaining an education and skills to prepare them to enter the job market.

 

4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic activity in the City of Torrance.

 

We need to attract and retain businesses to increase revenue for the City. As a small business owner in Torrance I am acutely aware of the necessity to have a Government environment that respects and encourage businesses to come and stay in our city.  I strongly endorse any efforts to be a friendly city in an increasingly unfriendly business state.  I will always be open to ideas for streamlining the system. Our one-stop permitting center was an effort in that direction and while that adds to the convenience, we must go a step further to cut through the red tape our city produces.  We live in the 21st century and online services and permitting should be available for the conveniences of all citizens and businesses.  Improvement and revamp of City websites need to ensure residents are well informed and know the facts.    

 

5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety in Torrance.

 

I am deeply satisfied with our fantastic public safety services. Living in one of the safest cities in America provides my family and I the security that we do will never take for granted. However, in addition to the rising pensions of public workers, my main concern is the recent release of criminals due to AB 109. Although, I am confident that our police and public safety officials will do all that is necessary to continue to provide the protection that we are accustomed to.

 

6. There are growing revelations about the city's massive pension liabilities -- $400 million, an online reports confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least $100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?

 

 The men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect Torrance residents deserve to know that their hard work will benefit them in the future. It depends on what pension reform should look like. Pension reform is needed to prevent abuse and to make sure the system is sustainable. We need to incentivize the best law enforcement candidates possible and Torrance residents deserve the best public safety officials available. If elected, I will work with the rest of the Council and the City Manager to make sure that we have the funds for a first-class police department that will not cut corners on the shoulders of the men and women who protect us.

 

7. How have residents and prospective voters responded to your campaign?

 

So far I have received a lot of positive feedback from the voters I have spoken with. Most like what I stand for, the work I have done for the community and share similar values.  Like most candidates running for office, I have received the occasional voter who was either unaware of the June 3rd election or tend to have a general dislike of politics. All in all, I am greatly surprised and happy with all the support I have received and it encourages me to continue fighting for what I believe in, helping our city and citizens progress into a better tomorrow.

 

From private sector investment to public sector involvement, Alex See is worth seeing.

 

For more information on his campaign, please visit Alex for City Council

Torrance City Council Race: Leilani Kimmel-Dagostino

Leilani Kimmel-Dagostino

Budget analyst and Commissioner on Seniors and against Leilani-Kimmel-Dagostino also answered questions about her campaign and candidacy.

1. Why are you running for city council this year? Did you ever plan on running for office before?

 

With 16 candidates running for City Council, this is the biggest change in council membership in city history. We have to elect people with experience and vision. I felt I had the experience in four key areas: Finance, Business, Government, and Community Service.

 

I had never planned on running for elected office before. I had planned to be selected as a City Commissioner which I was 6 years ago.

 2.  You are a registered Republican. Why?

 

I believe in adherence to the Constitution, small government, and a balanced budget which are the tenets of the Republican Party.

 

3. Tell us about your prior professional/political experience and how they can help the City of Torrance.

 I became involved with the Republican Party while living in Houston, Texas when Congressman Bill Archer from Harris County asked for volunteers to become poll watchers in elections to combat voter fraud in certain districts. Because of what I observed in Texas, when we moved to California I became an Election Inspector to ensure a fair and honest voting experience in the precincts that I was assigned to.

 For my professional experience, I have been a Registered Financial Consultant for 10 years serving the needs of senior citizens. Prior to that I worked as a Budget Analyst for the Western Division of American Airlines Aircraft Maintenance. I hold an MBA in Quantitative Analysis from Pepperdine University which means that I can analyze large quantities of data and make sense of it.

 Please tell us about your commission work with senior citizens.

 The purpose of a city commission is to bring forth items that the City Council can take action on. I was Chair of the Commission on Aging for 4 years and have been the Vice Chair for 2 years. Under my watch we saved the Commission from elimination at the Ad Hoc Review Board, negotiated the dial-a-ride taxi program rates, and saved the funding for the Senior Tour program. Since I attend all the City Council meetings I am able to speak for the Commission on any items that affect the senior community. I am out in the community attending meetings and events at the Bartlett Senior Center, the YMCA senior center, and various residential care facilities. In order to find out what is on the minds of senior citizens you have to hang out with them at a multitude of venues in order to tap their brains. I use the knowledge that I have gained to bring back to the Commission various concerns that we can address. Seniors can call me at any time with questions and I address them all on a timely basis.

 

What plans do you have to assist seniors while also making Torrance a vibrant city for young people and future families moving it?

I would like to keep pushing for affordable senior housing as that is the number one request that the Focal Point on Aging receives. I am especially monitoring a project by the Mehta Housing Company on Cabrillo Avenue that was to have been funded by the now defunct Redevelopment Agency. It is a workforce housing development and may yet come to fruition if grant money can be found to complete it.

I would also like to see the $100.00 a month space rental subsidy for low income senior citizens living in mobile home parks reinstated. That was discontinued because of the demise of the Redevelopment Agency.

Torrance is an expensive city to live in. The only way young families can afford to live here is if they inherit a house from their parents or if they have a good job. We must develop and keep good jobs in Torrance. We can do this by fostering vocational education through SCROC, El Camino College, or vocational education offered through our high schools. Many of these vocational skills lead to high paying jobs. For example, Robinson Helicopters in Torrance hires most of its employees from SCROC.

 Viable candidates have to discuss the future of SCROC. Without proper vocational training, students may face few employment prospects.

 

4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic activity in the City of Torrance?

 

We need to get the word out about the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center in Torrance that helps nurture entrepreneurs and small businesses. Large businesses can come and go but small businesses are the lifeblood of the city. The Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Economic Development are all working together to attract new businesses to Torrance.

 

Last year my Leadership Torrance group developed a free mobile application called “Discover Torrance” which lists all the hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Torrance for use in developing tourism in the City. The Discover Torrance Office is currently working on programs to encourage more people to visit Torrance for pleasure and for meetings and conventions.

 

5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety in Torrance?

I am very concerned about the increase in burglaries since the passage of AB108. As a CERT DSV volunteer I have been a part of 3 “Operation Outlook” operations with the Torrance Police Department where we target various neighborhoods and educate the public on burglary prevention and neighborhood watch programs. If at all possible in the next budget I would like to see at least two more police officers hired to help the task force. We still are the 10^th safest city in the nation and the citizens of Torrance demand a safe and secure city.

 6. There are growing revelations about the city's massive pension liabilities -- $400 million, an online reports confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least $100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?

I attended the City Council meeting on February 25, 2014 with the presentation by the Actuary as to the pension liabilities. Two things have come to light from the presentation. The first thing is that that Governor Brown has signed a law that states that all unfunded pension liabilities must be shown on the balance sheet of all city budgets. The second thing is that GASB68 which was approved on June 25, 2012 and effective 2014/2015 changes the unfunded pension liabilities from an actuarial asset value to a market asset value. That means that we have $116,200,000. more in unfunded liabilities rather than the $44,200,000.00 that we thought we had or $392.1 total. This is still significant. However, the City of Torrance took measures on June 30, 2011 to implement cost sharing and raising the retirement age for new employees hired after January 1, 2013. This should result in savings (in millions) of $.5 for miscellaneous employees, $.4 for Police, and $.3 for Fire Safety. Savings materialize gradually over 20 to 30 years due to the PEPRA impact assuming a 7% expected return on the discount rate on bonds. This will need to be monitored closely because if the return is not sufficient to pay benefits then further changes will need to be made. Employees on these plans are not eligible for social security benefits when they retire unless they choose to work in private industry and pay into the plan.

 Dagostino knows the numbers and the figures involved with the pension issue. A strong financial background is essential to good fiscal management.

 

7. How have residents and prospective voters responded to your campaign?  

I have been having a very positive response to my campaign especially from senior citizens. Most of my contributions have come from individual donors and I have received no union money or PAC money even though I have been endorsed by both the Torrance Police Department and Torrance Fire Department. People know me through my volunteer efforts and my Commission work. I have always been accessible and my record speaks for itself.

 

Receiving union endorsements  is one thing, but as long as a candidate turns down their money, then voters can rest assured that the candidate will represent every interest, not just the special interests.
Private interest plus public investment in city commissions, Leilani's background and vision would suit the city of Torrance very well on the City Council, too.

On June 3, vote for Leilani for City Council.

 

Torrance City Council Race: Aurelio Mattucci

Aurelio Mattucci

Over the past week, I have reached out to the candidates whom I believe would best serve the city of Torrance and should be elected to the city council on June 3rd.

Aurelio Mattucci responded to these questions:

1. Why are you running for city council this year? Did you ever plan on running for office before?

 

I grew up in a politically active household.  Politics have been a common topic at the dinner table as far back as I can remember.  As a child I always admired individuals that made things happen.  My father is one of those people.  Even though he is 76 years young, he goes to work six days a week.  He always tells me that hard work is the only way to ever make things happen.  I always wanted to be part of government, make things happen and represent the people.  One of the phrases that stick most with me is "government of the people, by the people, for the people", I truly believe in those words. When I heard that two council seats were going to be vacated I immediately started thinking this is a sign.  I asked my wife what she thought about me running and she told me go for it.  So I am going for it.

 

2.  You were a registered Republican. Why did you switch affiliation to Decline to State?

 

A couple of years ago I was audited by the IRS.  The first thing the auditor said when he walked in to my office was, " You know what I hate about you Republicans?, you think just because you provide a few jobs you feel you don't have to pay taxes".  At first I was mad then I got worried.  I soon decided to change to "Independent" to avoid further issues.  I've since resolved most of those issues and since then I truly believe our administration is going after conservatives.  It was a great reason to get into politics and a sad story to tell.

 

I found this revelation particularly disturbing. Imagine an IRS official threatening to shake you down just because of your political affiliation. Other unseemly realities have been reported in connection with the IRS, too, like the targeting of specific non-profits. Covered California also tried to register enrollees as Democrats, as well.

  

3. Tell us about your prior professional/political experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?

 

I've been involved in a few elections.  I've helped conservatives and moderates into office.  I have seen the ugly side of politics first hand.  I have to say that in the last two years I've met some of the most amazing people and I have no regrets. 

 

Please tell us about your private sector experience plus any public sector work.

 

I am the co-founder of Mattucci Plumbing, a service company still in business after 25 years.  I am also the broker/owner of Mattucci Real Estate and the founder of the Mattucci Project a volunteer community improvement organization that has picked up over 10 tons of trash and weeds and the founder  Torrance Small Business Alliance.

 

What plans do you have to assist seniors while also making Torrance a vibrant city for young people and future families moving it?

 

The following is a business development plan I have for bringing in more businesses and also helping out our existing ones.  At the end I have ideas as to how we can improve public transportation for our seniors.

 

 

 

 

Some highlights from Mattucci's business plan include:

 

Internally:

1.      Lower the business license tax to a flat $99 a year for businesses that have less than 5 employees or annual gross revenue not exceeding $500,000.

 

2.      Waive the business license tax for the first year on any new business.

 

3.      Streamline the permitting process and allow applications to initiate online.

 

4.      Lower our permit fees by 25% across the board

 

5.      Eliminate the annual “Fire Inspection Fee” on businesses under 5 employees or under 2,000 square feet of space.

 

 

Externally:

 

1.      Our Economic Development Department needs to reach out to business owners and not wait for them to contact them.  One thing we need to keep in mind is that most self-employed have issues with time, not enough of it.  When I met with Fran Fulton from this department I was happy to see that they were taking a proactive approach to contacting business owners, but had very low turnouts. I suggested a door to door campaign and workshops set up inside the business owners’ locations. 

 

2.      In addition we need to tap into the multi-million dollar resource we have just a few miles away, The Port of Los Angeles.  We need to reach out to the thousands of multinational companies that utilize the Port of Los Angeles and invite them to our city. We have over 1 million square feet of available space in Torrance.  Filling this space will generate the much needed revenue we’ve been waiting for.  Incentives need to be put in place to induce new growth.  Most business growth is in relocation and not new business.  We need to remind ourselves that it’s easier to lose a business than it is to attract one. The incentives should include waiving permit fees and business licensing fees for the first year.  This will stir up growth within the city and revenue will be balanced by the added jobs. 

 

3.      If we want to be a business friendly city, we need to show the public the difference between us and neighboring cities.  Yes, we have over 400 world headquarters in Torrance and that is remarkable, but being number 1 takes constant efforts. Our reputation in the business environment is not as favorable as public officials try to tell us.

 

Improvements to our public transportation should include:

 

·         Better signage and route maps at our bus stops

 

·         Senior programs should include a $30 a month unlimited Torrance Transit Pass

 

·         Increase the number of routes to capture a higher number of 55+ housing complexes

·         Longer hours of operation

 

Funding for these additional programs can be generated with private advertising and or sponsorships.  Bottom line we need to take care of the issues and take care of them now.

4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic activity in the City of Torrance?

 

See my Business Plan above.

 

5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety in Torrance?

 

The biggest of concerns is the fact that we are spending 60% of our budget on public safety.  In addition, we know that AB109 has had an impact on our safety.  I believe that the best tool for fighting crime is public involvement.  We need to strengthen our Business Watch and Neighborhood Watch Programs.  After finding out that my area had no neighborhood watch program, I went ahead and became an area captain.  Our first meeting attracted over fifty local residents.

 

6. There are growing revelations about the city's massive pension liabilities -- $400 million, an online reports confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least $100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?

 

Some of my fellow candidates refuse to believe that Torrance will end up in Bankruptcy in the near future if we don't make drastic changes to our spending.  The pension issue is larger than we think.  It is estimated that within the next decade we will be at $1 billion in unfunded liabilities.  Changes in the pay structure need to happen across the board.  I would start with the highest paid and work your way down.  We have police officers making close to 50% more than our secret service agents protecting the President with their lives.  I refuse to fall for the notion that great officers come at a big price.  We can still offer decent career options without going bankrupt and or having to cut other programs that benefit the community.

 

Finally, one candidate who is not ignoring this pressing concern. Pension obligations are bad enough, but when the Wall Street Journal reports to a national audience that your city's pension liabilities far exceed revenue expectations, comprehensive reforms cannot be ignored.

 

7. How have residents and prospective voters responded to your campaign?  

 

My whole platform revolves around the fact that we need to take back control of our government.  The people have been left out of many equations.  This is partly due to the fact that voter turnouts are notoriously low.  I have been getting much support from both sides of the aisle.  My message is to encourage unity.  It's not a matter of Right or Left, it's a matter of Right or Wrong.

 

 

Mattucci has outlined specific plans, along with prior business and real estate experience to boot.

 

He would be a welcome voice and vote on the Torrance City Council, which will experience one of the most comprehensive turn-overs in city leadership in decades, if not ever.

 

Torrance voters need to look for leaders who are connected but not entrenched, who recognize the importance of the public interest without giving in to special interests or labor unions, whether local or statewide. Mattucci strikes me as one of a number of candidates with public knowledge as well as private experience that will best serve the growing needs of the city of Torrance.

On June 3, vote for Aurelio for Torrance City Council.

(Visit his blog here)

Horror Stories of ObamaCare: Oregon

Rhode Island's health insurance exchange is going bankrupt. Health Source RI officials were so desperate to get young people to enroll, that they prepared a "nag app" so that parents would pressure their (adult) children to purchase overpriced, underserving health insurance.

After millions of dollars, Maryland lawmakers have abandoned Maryland Health Connect and have adopted the Connecticut platform.

Massachusetts is still tangling with its own Obamacare website, even though the Commonwealth had its own state-sponsored health insurance mandate, which was working well without the interloping of the federal government.

Now Oregon has nothing but frustration and embarrassment in its wake following the failed rollout of its state health insurance exchange: Cover Oregon.

Gov. John Kitzhaber

Except instead of covering Oregon residents, the botched health insurance exchange has exposed the state to massive debt and loss.

An emergency physician before representing the Beaver State for three terms (and seeking a fourth this year), Kitzhaber had dismissed the health exchange manager, yet for all his efforts, there was no recovering the pulse for the dying health insurance website, which did not enroll one person on line.

Aside from more people taking on Medicaid, Obamacare was one big bummer.

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber had little comfort to offer his constituents following the $200 million waste.

Oregon is switching over the federal exchange.

With all the money frittered away on the progressive pipe dream of centrally enforced health insurance, one has to wonder how many doctors, nurses, and hospitals that money could have provided for.

Pope Francis: Not Liberal Enough

Pope Francis (Source: Casa Rosada)

Pope Francis the First has ushered in a transformative papacy, so far.

About recognizing homosexuals who are seeking God, Francis quipped: "Who am I to judge?"

He takes selfies with parishioners.

He mingles with ordinary people, and he goes out of his way to make himself as ordinary as possible.

Dispensing with the luxurious pomp and circumstance, this pope makes his own food and seeks to live as modest a life as possible. He even pays his own hotel tab.

Not only that, the Argentinian of Italian descent has suggested that divorced people should be permitted to receive communion once again.

He might want to permit allowing priests to marry, since forced celibacy is a modern teaching, at least compared to the Biblical record, which permitted priests in the Old Testament to marry, and the first "Pope" per Catholic Tradition was also married.

Still, the movement toward divorced individuals is a massive deviation from Catholic teaching but a welcome one. While staunch traditionalists will argue that no one should take Communion in an unworthy manner, thus meaning that anyone with sin in their hearts or in their lives cannot partake, the Bible clearly speaks otherwise:

"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11: 27)

The whole context suggests that "unworthily" has nothing to do with sin in our hearts or in our lives, but rather the manner in which people are eating the Holy Communion:

"21For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not." (1 Corinthians 11: 21-22)

Instead of recognize what Jesus did, as represented in His broken body and blood shed for us, the Corinthians were treating the Communion as a common event to feast and get drunk.

The Communion represents Jesus' body broken for us, in which we are healed. Through His blood we recognize that our sins are forgiven, blood which speaks better things than the blood of Abel: redemption, favor, forgiveness, blessings!

Francis should be teaching about all that Jesus has done for us, and continues to do for us, living in and through us.

Yet for all his outreach, cleaning the feet of prisoners and apologizing early for the pedophilia scandals of the Catholic church, for his modern sensibility of reaching out to the press and the public through social  media and open interview with journalists, frankly, Francis is still not liberal enough.

One example is the process of beatification then canonization of specific individuals into sainthood. This is ridiculous. Every man and woman who believes on the Lord Jesus is saved (Romans 10: 9)
The escalation of sainthood is not liberal enough either. Every one of us who believe in Jesus is a saint!

Not only should Francis dispense with these man-made traditions which withhold individual Christians from receiving Holy Communion, not only should he invite all manner of flesh to receive the blessed grace of the Living God, but to further the Truth of the Gospel, he needs to give up this man-made religious bureaucracy.

Jesus instructed His disciples on earth to call no one Master and one Father:

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." (Matthew 23: 9-10)

If Pope Francis wants to fulfill the mission of the Gospel, he should not only give up the luxury and glory of the Papacy, but give up being Pope and put an end to this religious cult of personality which attaches individuals to look up to a political/religious figurehead instead of resting in the grace and peace of the one Master, Jesus! and His Father:

"17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." (John 20: 17-18)

Jesus did not come to the earth to set up another religion or a state of traditions, complete with human bureaucracy, but to give us His Life and standing (John 10: 10; 1 John 4: 17)

He also serves us to this day as our High Priest. Not a man in Rome, but the Perfect Man at the Father's right hand serves on our behalf and invites us to receive His grace in time of need

So, where did this pattern of human hierarchy come from?

Catholics point to this passage:

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16: 18)

Simon's name "Peter" means "detached rock", and the word "rock" translates the word "petra", which speaks of connected rocks, or boulder, or a projecting cliff.

In other words, Peter was a chip off the old block, so to speak.

Jesus never intended for Peter or his successors to be the leaders of a universal church.

Jesus is the head of the Church:

"22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 22-23)

and

"18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1: 18)

Could it be any clearer? We are called to a person, Jesus! Not to temporal leaders, and certainly not to the Pope in Rome.

Francis is just not liberal enough. Putting away some of the elitist trappings is a start. If Francis really wanted to reveal the goodness of Jesus in our lives, he would institute the systematic dismantling of the Roman Catholic Church, a global organization whose traditions  do not manifest the fullness of Christ and Him Crucified, because the traditions of men ("Touch not, taste not, handle not"--- Colossians 2: 21) simply do not and never can.

The Miller Effect: The LA Times "Endorsement"

Democrat Radio Host Matt Miller

Democrats Ted Lieu, Wendy, and Matt Miller are running to replace Congressman Henry Waxman.

Miller again? Not the retiring Republican Congressman Gary Miller who miraculously won reelection in a district witched from safe Republican to safe Democrat.

This time, it's Matt Miller, a "long shot" candidate just endorsed by Los Angeles Times.


The Times explained their endorsement:

Choosing among them raises a series of questions about what voters should be seeking in a representative. Does vision outweigh experience? Should a member of Congress be focused on bringing home funds and services for constituents or on solving the problems of the world and the nation? Should we prefer politicians who stand firmly for what they believe or those who know how to compromise and work cooperatively with others?

Rather than answering these questions decisively, The Board designed criteria reflecting every element of their concerns.

[T]his page put a premium on ideas, in the hope that a candidate who could articulate a broad vision with specific policy proposals to back it up could help revitalize the stalled conversations currently dominating Washington.

 Their mixed decision reflects on their odd endorsement. First,  no one candidate can meet these demands. Congressman Henry Waxman certainly never did.


The article outlined the best-known candidates as well as the star Republican, Elan Carr (although there are two other GOP candidates), yet settled on a lesser known:

Of the several strong candidates in the race, though, it is Matt Miller, an author, radio host and professional policy wonk making his first run for public office, who is best suited for the job.

What did the Times think of Carr?

[He] offered the best option among the GOP contenders. He is levelheaded and his positions are relatively moderate. Ultimately, though, his views skew too conservative for us.No criticism about Carr's vision or specific policies, and there is plenty about the gang prosecutor which indicates his capacity to work across the aisle. A previous article focused on Carr's outreach to all voters, not just Republicans. Why did the paper pass him up? "Too conservative." What does that mean?

About Wendy Greuel and state Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), the editorial recognized their prior political experience. They then faulted the former Controller for attention-seeking during her tenure as Controller.

Isn't that what a city controller is hired to do? "Look at all this waste and fraud!” Too bad she took mayoral endorsements from the very special interests (Department of Water and Power) responsible the problems.

What about Lieu?

Lieu offers more policy specifics, and he has been effective in Sacramento. But his vision is on the near horizon, and his best legislative successes have been in reaction to events, not in looking forward at how to shape the future.


Lieu has been effective in Sacramento how? Regulating tanning salons from minors? Banning the private sale of pets? I agree with his legislation to stop serial swatting against celebrities, but he also attempted to triple the state car tax. Another tax-and-spend liberal in Congress?

This brings us to Miller, a long-shot political figure.

A policy expert in Washington at one time, then a radio host KCRW's "Left, Right and Center", Miller has little political experience. His neophyte status  doesn't disqualify him, according to the Times, since he knows how to think, possessing the clichéd "keen, analytical mind". Yet the paper claims that Waxman's legacy sets a higher bar. How does some low-level bureaucrat-turned-radio-host meet the grade?

It doesn't.

So, what's really behind this quixotic endorsement? The Times Editorial offers unconvincing, inconsistent explanations for dismissing the Democratic Party favorite (Lieu) and the Sacramento-Establishment pick (Greuel). The article ignores Tea-Party-of-the-Left Progressive Williamson and Libertarian Herd (both with cultivated, dedicated followings). To write off the moderate Carr as "too conservative" is both trite, ineffective and underwhelming. Carr sounds as centrist as Miller.

The paper readily acknowledges that their endorsement is a "gamble", one which may embolden Republicans, conservatives, and disaffected independents to place their bets on a non-Dem candidate.

I submit that the LA Times endorsed Matt Miller out of fear of the Gary Miller effect. Reading between the lines, since what major newspapers downplay or do not print tells the whole story, one can surmise that the Times fears the Democratic self-wounding infighting will permit a Republican and an Independent or two Independents to win the top-two for 2014.

Rather than putting their "editorial sway" behind a well-favored candidate certain to lose, they will promote a “centrist” Democrat, thus granting the paper some modicum of balance without losing any prestige after the June 3 primary.

Strangely enough, though, for the middling politicos in the LA area who still care about the mainstream media's take on elections, the Times endorsement may  actually foment the (Gary) Miller effect, since unsure/uncommitted Dems will give Matt Miller another glance, and maybe vote for him.

The Dem vote will split even further, resulting in a Republican and an Independent in the Top Two.

How ironic: by endorsing one Miller, the LA Times is promoting the Miller effect, and further diminishing its credibility to influence  LA elections, like the 33rd.