CommentsTHE DOCTOR IS IN - Let me begin by declaring this upcoming mayoral election would have been a LOT easier if Ron Galperin was running.
Galperin is smart, as straight an arrow as they come, and experienced in cutting through the nonsense at City Hall. Unfortunately, we don't have that option. Caruso is also experienced in City politics and regulations and is his own person. Not so for Bass.
I like both Caruso and Bass. I've also worked hard to raise your transportation taxes over the years, and mainly because the money was defined with respect to expenditures and priorities. Not so for this upcoming slate of propositions.
So, let's cut to the chase, shall we?
My $.02 for this Tuesday's vote--ignore it or consider it as you see fit:
1) Mayor: Rick Caruso--not my first choice, but he's definitely not the same ol', same ol'. Karen Bass is a nice person, but her Sacramento experience has NOT left the state in good arrears, and I think she'll be as much a tool of the tug-the-heartstrings-but-help-the-connected-interests-only crowd when it comes to WRONG development and WRONG homelessness spending.
2) CD 11 Councilmember--Traci Park. She's the right moderate, and she's NOT Mike Bonin the 2nd like her opponent is.
3) CD5 Councilmember--Sam Yebri. Again, not the same ol', same ol', and we need some common sense, family/Angeleno-oriented representation.
4) City Attorney--Heidi Feldstein Soto. Vote for her unless you love the lawlessness this City has hurtled towards over the past 10-15 years! She's smart, kind, and does NOT tolerate any trampling of the City charter or environmental/development laws.
5) City Controller--Paul Koretz. Darn, I'll miss Ron Galperin! But while Koretz is not my first choice for this particular post, his opponent comes across as a lunatic who will send our spending and homelessness/crime problems spiraling out of control (and that has what to do with accounting, now?). Koretz is smart and experienced, and is the only choice that makes sense.
6) Measures ULA and SP--NO. Money on affordable housing and parks is money well-spent...but THIS City Council will NOT spend it well, or will pull money away from other priorities if these go through. Sad but true. Keep it real, and keep Downtown's feet to the fire to do their damned job.
I'll leave others to address state propositions. I have my own strong views, but I think you'll find plenty others here and elsewhere to cover those ad nauseam.
Good luck, L.A.! Don't forget to vote!
(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He was termed out of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) twice after two stints as a Board member for 9, years and is also a Board member of the Westside Village Homeowners Association. He previously co-chaired the MVCC Outreach, Planning, and Transportation/Infrastructure Committees for 10 years. He was previously co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee, the grassroots Friends of the Green Line (which focused on a Green Line/LAX connection), and the nonprofit Transit Coalition His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth and can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)
