On my vote in next week’s City Council election
Written by Jeff on April 4th, 2008Winston Churchill once said that “Democracy is the worst form of government…except for every other form of government.” Today, it’s a cliched phrase, but it’s instructive to citizens who take their role in electing leaders seriously, and it’s a quote that’s helped me decide who I’m going to vote for on April 8.
Democracy certainly has been messy in Santa Clarita lately. As a community, we have no public opinion polls to guide us on what Santa Claritans really care about, how they view our political leaders, or what they think of City Hall.
But if you have your ear to the earth in the SCV, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that many residents don’t trust City Hall or the City Council.
In the last year, we’ve seen much more distrust of the occupants of that brick building on Valencia Avenue than we’ve seen in awhile. Whether it’s the hospital expansion and its legions of supporters and detractors, the MRF which exploded on the scene and is still a story in some bizarre way, or the alliances, perceived or otherwise, between the City Council itself, the business community, or other facets of the SCV, there’s been no shortage of conspiracy theories and wild accusations lately.
I’m not saying that residents ought to blindly trust City Hall or our elected officials; indeed that would mean we’re shirking our duties as the public.
But at some point, the informed voter ought to try to pierce the haze surrounding these issues and get at the root of the problem. If one does that, the choice of whom to elect to City Council becomes clear.
I’m going to vote for Diane Trautman and Bob Spierer for City Council because I think they have some characteristics that we ought to value in elected officials and that may help clear the cloud that’s hanging around the City of Santa Clarita.
Competence
A vote for Trautman and Spierer is a vote for competence on our City Council. Trautman brings to the table a wealth of planning knowledge and credentials. The Planning Commissioner could practically write a book on urban planning and seems to have a clear understanding and vision for Santa Clarita. Planning, land use, development are topics that are always on the front burner in Santa Clarita, and I think Trautman would bring a level of competence to the Council that we haven’t seen in awhile.
Bob Spierer, on the other hand, cut his teeth in the massive and highly political bureaucracy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he rose from a Deputy who manned jail cells to one of only a few Division chiefs, overseeing thousands of deputies and a budget that makes Santa Clarita’s look tiny in comparison. As he said in his interview with SCVTalk, his history with the City of Santa Clarita goes back to the late 80s, and in his role as Captain of the SCV Sheriff’s station, he was practically a City department head.
Both of these candidates seem to have a clear picture of the challenges Santa Clarita is facing, and I think both would show competence and intelligence in how they approach those same challenges.
Wisdom
Issues in the City of Santa Clarita, like life itself, are seldom black and white. When it comes to tricky development matters or disputed projects in the City, the question ought not to be “Do we allow it, yes or no?” but rather, “How do we get the best project for the community at large?”
I believe both Trautman and Spierer would approach the controversial projects in this town this way, that is with wisdom and nuance.
On the hospital, it’s not whether Henry Mayo should be allowed to expand, the true question is to what degree they should expand and what services they will offer in return for a city approval.
Are there outside interests looking to profit off of Santa Clarita? Absolutely. But, in my view, Trautman and Spierer are wise enough to understand that and know how to take advantage of it and make the relentless drive for profit benefit Santa Clarita overall.
The same is true of other tricky situations Santa Clarita finds itself in: Newhall Redevelopment, senior housing, crime, annexation, and County relations. Both candidates know what the city can and can’t do on these and other issues and have the wisdom to know the difference.
Transparency & Openness
For the most part, I believe the City of Santa Clarita to be open and transparent, responsive to the concerns of its residents. As a semi-official media person, I have greater access than most, and I can attest to the fact that City Staff and Councilmembers have always responded to my questions and even addressed my critiques.
But more could be done. An Ethics policy, or even an Ethics commission, is something every large public agency should have. Such a system would go along way toward alleviating the suspicions many hold of the City Counicl and even city staff.
And make no mistake, the City of Santa Clarita is now a large public agency. It employs over 400 people, it has a budget shy of $200 million, it is the fourth largest city in the nation’s most populated county, and it covers more territory than many cities in California.
It’s time for the City of Santa Clarita to embrace self-examination and more openness. No one likes having to question a Councilmember’s loyalties between his sworn duties and his primary job, but without a venue or some policy that seeks to allay those concerns, it’s understandable why so many distrust.
I think Trautman and Spierer would support such a program at the City.
So yes, while Churchill is right that democracy is messy and difficult, electing people like Spierer and Trautman who have the characteristics above can make it work better for all of us.
And that’s why I’m voting for Spierer and Trautman on April 8.
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Jeff, are you going to be disillusioned when Kellar and Ender win?
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Jeff, are you going to be disillusioned when Kellar and Ender win?
Tim, what article of clothing are you going to eat if you’re wrong?
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WethepeopleSCV respects your take on the candidates and election Jeff. Good remarks.
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In 2006 Myers predicted that Frank Ferry would get 10,000 votes and would be the top vote getter. He also predicted that Jack Murphy would only receive 500 votes. Tim was wrong on both.
I believe Tim will be wrong next Tuesday.
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Jeff:
When I was wrong about Jack Murphy’s vote count I had to buy him a cheeseburger at Chili’s and I watch him eat it.
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Chili’s? You had to choose a place in Unincorporated County territory eh?
I think if you’re wrong, you should buy SCVTalk readers a gift certificate to the Lyons Jimmy Deans.
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Beautifully written commentary, Jeff, obviously a lot of thought went into it.
Tim, if you are still currently employed by Landscape Development which is a Henry Mayo donor ($5K-$9,999 = Gary Horton, Landscape Development) is it possible you are attempting a little subliminal prodding on voters by continually mentioning Laurie Ender’s name?
Doubt subliminal subtlety is the best way to go with this group, Tim.
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Just so no one thinks I am “outing” Tim’s employment history, Tim wrote about his job in his Signal columns.
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That’s my same ballot. How is it we are voting like Petzolds?
I’m going soft on Bob Kellar. I won’t mind so much if he wins.
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Go Kellar & Trautman! Cash doesn’t get the last word here either.
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I still think it’s funny that Laurie Ender said in the KHTS debate,
“nobody likes to be the 1 odd vote out of 5, you don’t get a lot done that way. I’m a Team player, I DON”T RUN WITH SCISSORS”.
Ya, she’s right, she runs with SHEARS! Talk about political downplay. It sure would be nice if she would just be honest and say, “hay stay out of my way”.
Unfortunately she seems to think it’s OK to whack away at people unabashedly with Lies and Misrepresentations only to remain silent with that deer in the headlights look. You know what happens when you run with scissors.
I can only thank Jeff for a forum where sentiment can be discussed in hopes that others can see the light. Thanks Jeff.
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Yes, thank you, Jeff. Trying to get the truth out about certain issues is becoming more and more difficult which makes sites like this all the more impportant in this valley. You are very much appreciated, Jeff, thank you so much for all the hard work you do. But I’m wondering if you knew what you were getting yourself into when you started this! :-0
(BTW, the huge cholocolate chip cookies at Jimmy Dean’s are really good, but they aren’t listed on the menu)