Responses to Vanguard Candidacy Questions 2009:
1. Why am I running?
Democracy is exercised by the people through their elected agents ... Our City Council is accountable to us. They have a fiduciary responsibility along with our City Manager and Department Leaders to insure the long-term integrity of our Jewel City.
The fiscal secrecy, misdirection and unexamined spending by our Council and City Management must be corrected with a line-by-line examination of how the people's money has been spent. We, the people, must make it clear that we will not tolerate the current rate of expenditures especially as it relates to the bond debt, salaries and overtime pay.
Our city leaders have encumbered our city with millions of dollars of bond debt. They have transferred revenue from Glendale Water and Power to the City General Fund in a manner that has been detrimental to the integrity of the utility. Instead of starting with cuts that affect our police department, the cuts should start with the city vehicle pool, consultants, overtime, office rental space, the $100,000 Club, the underutilized old police building, Enterprise Services, etc.
My ideals represent smart residential and business growth that includes mixed-use development within a fiscally responsible environment. Every city desires the tax increment dollars that redevelopment brings. However, those dollars must not come at the detriment of our roads, infrastructure and neighborhoods.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln ... You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a person's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
I believe the truth is always the strongest argument.
2. What unique qualities do you bring?
I believe that my personal, business, educational, philanthropic and ministerial experience contribute to my qualities of principled leadership that our city desperately needs. My experiences include the following:
Education:
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA ~ Criminal Justice Addiction Professional, 2007 to 2008, Certificate Awarded, July 2008
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA ~ Addiction Counseling Certificate Program, 2005 to 2006, Certificate Awarded, January 2007
Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese: Presider Training Certificate; Vigils, Prayer Services, Graveside Services, October 2006;
Bereavement Training Program, Catholic Cemeteries Department, 2006; Restorative Justice & Detention Ministry Training Certificate, 2005; Confirmation Coordinator Certificate, 2002; Certified Catechist, Youth & Junior High, 1996; Master Catechist Student, 1996 to 1998
Los Angeles City Department of Neighborhood Empowerment - Empowerment Academy Training Workshops, 2004 to 2005:
Land-Use Policies and Planning Tools, Business and Asset Development Strategies, Neighborhood Planning and Community Development Process, Housing and Community Economic Development
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA ~ Catholic Bible Institute, 2001 to 2004: Bible Study Leadership Certificate Awarded, May 2004
LAPD Civilian Academy Graduate
La Verne College of Law, San Fernando Valley, CA ~ Workers’ Compensation Certificate, 1986
California State University, Los Angeles ~ Bachelor of Arts, Major: Political Science, Minor: Law, 1982
Professional Career:
Amador H. Solis & Associates, Inc, All Language Interpreting Agency ; 1999 to Present Chief Operating Officer, 1979 to 1994 Spanish Interpreter
Lenore M. Solis & Associates ~ Workers’ Compensation Consultant, 1989 to Present
Lenore M. Solis & Associates, Entrepreneurial Adventures; L.M. Solis ~ 1985 to Present; Notary Public, Translation & Ombudsman Services, Certified Tax Preparer
American Realty Centre, Inc. ~ Agent, 2002 to Present - Very Part-Time
Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Associate ~ Addiction Counseling Resources, June 2007 to Present; California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
Philanthropic/Ministerial:
Assistant Catholic Chaplain, Los Angeles, California; 2005 to Present, 2003 to 2005 -Volunteer, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Twin Tower Correctional Facility
LAPD Northeast Division Clergy Council Member & Chaplain, Community Relations Office; 2008 to the Present
LAPD Clergy Forum & Hispanic Forum, Community Relations, Office of the Chief of Police; 1998 to Present, 2004-2006 Hispanic Forum Co-Chair, 2000 - 2005 Police Officer Interview Panel Community Rater
Los Angeles Unified School District - Special Education Surrogate Parent, 2006 to Present
Atwater Village Neighborhood Council #62; 2007 to Present Elected Church Religious Representative; 2005 to 2006 Elected Business Representative; 2005 to 2006 Crime, Public Safety and Transportation Committee Chair; 2000 to 2003 Volunteer Formation Committee Member; Application for Certification Signatory, BONC Public Hearing Presenter, & Elections Procedures Committee Member
Civic Angels; 2004 Treasurer, 1998 Treasurer, 1995 Treasurer, Member 1991 to the Present
Glendale Water & Power Commission, Glendale, California; 2005 President, 2004 Secretary, 2002 President, 2001 Secretary; Appointed Commissioner: March 2000 - March 2003; Reappointed April 2003 - October 2005
Glendale Human Relations Coalition; 2002 to 2003 Treasurer, 1999 to 2004 Member
Christ For Kids - Atwater Village Churches United Against Youth Violence/Atwater Churches United for Peace and Reconciliation, 1998 Founding Member, 1998 to 2003
Seeds of Peace; 1999 to 2003
Flower Project ~ Edison Elementary School Site Co-Coordinator; 2003
1st Peace Summit, Glendale Community College ~ Organizing Committee
Memberships/Affiliations:
* Parishioner, Incarnation Catholic Church; Holely Ones Donut Sales; Hospitality; Pro-Life
* Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council Board Member (Elected)
* Glendale Burbank Republican Assembly Board Member (Elected)
* Buck & Ballot Brigade
* Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Greater Los Angeles
* California Association of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors
* National Notary Association
* National Association of Realtors
3. Who would I like to replace? Why?
I firmly believe that our city needs three new unencumbered leaders with the ability to think independently while evaluating information from as many sources as possible. Leaders who appreciate the value of informed stakeholders. Leaders who will hold true to the principles of good leadership which I believe begins with:
- Systemizing best practices;
- Respect and encouragement of critical analysis;
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An emphasis on community outreach, education and empowerment;
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The establishment of criteria to develop collaborative relationships with our community and city departments;
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Set clear parameters to insure our elected councilpersons, city manager and department leaders understand their long-term fiduciary obligations to our Jewel city;
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Insure transparency and accountability in ALL expenditures by listing all department expenses, contracts, Requests for Proposals, etc. online.
4. What are the three main issues facing Glendale Government?
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Leadership grounded in Principled Integrity
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Fiscal/Fiduciary Accountability~Responsibility
5. How will I deal with those issues?
Through truthful, respectful open communication with my fellow councilpersons, city department leaders, city staff, and community members. By inviting the community to join staff and council in a line-by-line examination of expenditures. It is important that we listen respectfully, without demonizing anyone.
I will use my 25+ years of running my own business together with the knowledge and skills that I have honed preparing income tax returns, bookkeeping, counseling drug addicts and praying with inmates to push forward the absolute need for fiduciary responsibility, fiscal integrity via humble leadership. The truth is always the best answer.
6. My thoughts on the Downtown Specific Plan:
I firmly believe in civic engagement which is defined as, “people participating together for deliberation and collective action within an array of interests, institutions and networks, developing civic identity, and involving people in governance processes.”
City staff held numerous community opportunities to participate in the process of the development of this plan. Not enough community members participated. We are all accountable for that. However, one clear objective that our stakeholders expressed over and over was the need for a park in the downtown area.
The Vision for the DSP is, “Downtown Glendale will be an exciting, vibrant urban center which provides a wide array of excellent shopping, dining, working, living, entertainment and cultural opportunities within a short walking distance.”
I don’t read the words green or park anywhere in this vision. The DSP does have numerous bonuses and incentives for developers. I understand that our city desires the tax increment dollars that redevelopment brings. However, those dollars must not come at the detriment of our roads, infrastructure and neighborhoods.
Our downtown has a new shopping center, condo’s, new hotels (with more to come) a few sculptures for the arts and culture component, But, is this what our stakeholders envisioned. No.
Our city leaders chose to ignore the will of the people. I firmly believe that a Council committed to principled leadership would have insured that the green space envisioned and clearly desired by the stakeholders was incorporated into the DSP.
Our city has had many opportunities to change and head in a different direction. The Senior Center and tennis courts and the old Rite Aid building were opportunities to bring open green space incorporated into the development. Unfortunately, the stakeholders got their green space in the form of the 3.3 acres of grass in the middle of the Americana. This grassy area is not what we expected or envisioned.
There are wonderful aspects to the DSP - this document will allow and promote new development in our urban downtown area. It is essential to the vibrancy of our city that businesses seek opportunities to move to Glendale. The evolution of our downtown begins with good planning and vision. These are essential components to opportunities for shopping, working, dining, living and entertainment in our downtown.
My fear is that we do not have the infrastructure to support this growth. We have not instituted sufficient traffic mitigation measures and our city leaders chose to install parking meters because our parking enforcement efforts were insufficient to move downtown employees from choice spots into our garages even at a reduced monthly rate.
The DSP needs to be more accountable to the residents and our residents must understand the symbiotic relationship they have with our business community. A vibrant business community is essential to the quality of life we desire in our Jewel City.
7. My thoughts on the Mobility Plan:
The Mobility Plan was presented almost one year ago. The Vision for the MP is, “The Mobility Study aims to create an efficient, pleasant, multi-model downtown transportation system that: Supports economic vitality, Decreases traffic congestion, and Creates a vibrant pedestrian friendly environment.”
One of the main points that is made in the study, written by experts, Nelson Nygaard Consultants in San Francisco is that AMPLE FREE parking is a “car magnet”, the study goes on to say that parking management is the single best way to control traffic.
It is therefore very perplexing that within the same report, recommendations for parking meter charges are included. It is odd that within the same presentation, the experts made two contrary recommendations. The report went on to state that capacity enhancements had reached their limit.
The experts also reported that the freeway access bottleneck was critical. I’m not a traffic or parking expert but nothing in this report was epiphanic. The traffic congestion in the downtown area is critical. We have more hotels and condominiums being built and we have yet to mitigate the traffic congestion. I am completely unimpressed with this plan.
8. How will I deal with the deficit?
- Cap on city spending
- No new taxes
- End to discretionary spending
- *10-15 percent cut in each department
- New budget process that includes the public and encompasses the long-term costs
*Cuts should start with the city vehicle pool, consultants, overtime, office rental space, the $100,000 Club, the underutilized old police building, Enterprise Services, etc.
9. Contract negotiations with the GFFA and GMA hot issues:
I would begin by reminding these well informed representatives that our goal must be the long-term integrity of our city. We must agree that salary compromises are an essential component to the fiscal integrity of the city. I will thank them for their service to our city and ask what compromises they are willing to make because the salaries are out of control and we simply can not continue to fund PERS at this rate of growth. Together we must determine what cuts can be made because cuts must be made.
10. What Boards and Commissions have you testified before? The issues and results?
I have spoken on numerous occasions over the last 15 years so it is very hard for me to give you a list. This is my best recollection:
I have not attended: Audit Committee, Building and Fire Board of Appeals, Bob Hope Airport Authority, Design Review Board - Do not remember which one, Glendale Housing Authority, Historic Preservation Commission, Metropolitan Water District, Transportation and Parking Commission, and Vector Control District.
I have attended but I think that I did not speak: Civil Service Commission, Commission on the Status of Women, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, Design Review Board, and Planning Commission.
I have attended and I’m certain I spoke: City Council meetings, Arts & Culture Commission, Glendale Water & Power, Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Human Relations Coalition, Glendale Youth Coalition, Glendale Youth Voice, Seeds of Peace and Glendale Police Advisory Committee.
11. Do I support the City Manager? Why?
I want to preface my comments by stating for the record that aside from one time when he came and spoke at a GWP meeting when I was President, I have never had a conversation with this man.
He is the leader of all of our departments. He sets the tone and agenda with our city staff. I am very disappointed in the high salaries, the large vehicle pool, the overspending on the police building, the Adam Square Park errors, the under-utilization of the old police building, the lack of beautification on San Fernando Road, the GWP monthly transfers to the General Fund, etc.
The tree trimming fiasco was very disturbing. The lack of leadership by Mr. Starbird was unacceptable. No one took responsibility and it took too long to remedy.
He is an intelligent, articulate man who has made some very serious errors in judgment, especially in negotiating employee contracts. Defense of the indefensible is weak.
12. My position on the Utility Users Tax:
No, we are already heavily taxed. The City must be more accountable and make the responsible cuts and changes that should have been made and/or stopped 5 years ago. We could start by having our fire personnel work the same schedule as our police officers.
I firmly believe in an informed, involved and empowered citizenry. Thank you for this opportunity. Shalom.
