They Respond About Issues, Pizza
The Actors’ Gang Theatre seemed an appropriate venue for a lively City Council candidate forum on March 14 at which the questions-including some on controversial topics-were asked by Culver City High School, middle school, and elementary school students.
Presented by Culver City High and moderated by two students, CC High senior Nicole Martin and home-schooled Claire Wineland, the forum alternated between questions asked of one candidate and “lightning rounds” in which each candidate had 30 seconds to answer a question.
The forum began with each of the six candidates introducing him or herself, describing his or her credentials and goals for Culver City, and also listing which of the pizzas offered as refreshments he or she preferred.
For the record, Jim Clarke preferred artichoke pizza; Scott Malsin vouched for mushroom and also for pepperoni; Stephen Murray liked the pesto; Mehaul O’ Leary liked all the pizzas; Megan Sahli-Wells voted for spinach, cheese, and the “Bronx Special,” and Andrew Weissman liked “everything pizza.”
The pizza question was probably typical of the youth perspective but it provided a glimpse into each candidate’s personality-for example, Weissman’s choice of “everything on it” reflected (he said) the diversity he tries to bring to his Council decisions.
Some questions fielded by the candidates included:
Will Culver City pass a ban on plastic bags?
Jim Clarke: I believe we will have a ban. A number of cities have already passed bans [although] many cities have faced a court challenge. I think we should create incentives. If we have to charge for use of plastic bags we should do so.
What should be done about downtown traffic congestion?
Scott Malsin: We don’t use our parking very effectively. There are two smaller structures where it takes forever [to get parking]. The Ince structure is often half empty. We’re going to put in “smart parking signs” that will help people find parking more efficiently.
(O‘Leary added that the Council just had a parking study and is implementing changes in parking based on the study).
Lightning Round Question: Do you support overturning Prop 8 (the proposition that banned same-sex marriage in California)?
Five of the six candidates affirmed their support for people of all gender preferences. Malsin said he thought Prop 8 would be overturned by the voters. Sahli-Wells noted that young people “don’t have a problem” with same-sex marriage. “It’s just the older people.” She urged everyone who can vote to do so.
However, O’ Leary stated that same-sex marriage is a “partisan issue” and he did not believe that candidates for local offices should be obliged to state their views on partisan issues.
Back to regular questions: What about putting a crosswalk at Jefferson across from Baldwin Hills?
Murray: Yes, this is an issue. It’s fine when you start [walking across] but when you get to the top of the hill, your lungs are exhausted. We should apply for a grant to pay for [improvements].
Weissman: We need more than a crosswalk. We need some method to stop traffic.
Question by an elementary school student: What can you do about school supplies for schools that can’t afford them?
Sahli-Wells: As an active mom with kids at Linwood Howe, we do a tremendous amount of fundraising. But we need to continue to do more. I’m going to Sacramento next week to be a legislative advocate—to ask the state to give us more money.
Another elementary student: When can we take the train to the museum?
Weissman: As soon as the Expo Line starts running. There seems to be a delay in getting it to Culver City.
O’Leary added that he hopes May 1 (when the parking for the Culver City station is completed) will be the opening date.
A middle school student asked about the Culver City School District’s Natatorium—why it is closed. O’ Leary and Weissman noted that this is a School District issue—the District closed the Natatorium for economic reasons and has no funding to repair it. The two incumbent Council members expressed a wish that the School District and the City Council might work together to find a solution.
Also fielded were questions about improvements to the bike path (“We need to pass additional funding,”---Clarke), the chances of having a putting green at Veterans’ Park ( “Get a grant from golfers,” suggested Murray); and whether studies have been done on the effects of oil drilling in the area near Baldwin Hills (“The testing has not been adequate,” said Sahli-Wells).
And one student asked: “How can Culver City’s young people have more of a voice in city government?”
Malsin replied that the city needs to increase communication.
“Make sure to contact your Council if you’re interested. You are our constituents as much as anybody else.”
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