Candidate’s Qualification Statement - Roberta Golan Schiller (Zone 1)

In 1998 I was recruited to work for the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Richard Riordan.  My position was created to increase volunteerism in our city.  During my more than two years as a Mayoral Appointee, I created city-wide events to inspire L.A. residents to donate their time and talents to our community.  As a native of Los Angeles, it was an honor to work in the city of my birth and to learn about local government.  The numbers of people who gave their time to improve all aspects of civic life truly amazed me.  It was during the Riordan administration that the concept of neighborhood councils began.  The Mayor understood that our huge city needed opportunities for its residents to become involved in the decisions that would affect their lives.

I have lived in Westside Village for more than thirty years – in three different homes.  I have been a Board member of the Westside Village Civic Association for two terms.  My professional career has been devoted to non-profit management; most recently as the Executive Director of Women Against Gun Violence, where I presently sit on the Board of Directors. I graduated from UCLA and hold a Master’s of Science in Public Health (UCLA). 

My husband is a general surgeon who practices at Cedars-Sinai and Brotman Medical Center.  I have two adult children – both attended Clover Avenue Elementary School.  My son and his family have returned to our area and live just north of National.

I believe that my experience in city government, non-profit management, public health and volunteerism would be useful talents for MVCC and I am eager to utilize those skills as Zone 1 Director.

Candidate’s Vision Statement - Roberta Golan Schiller (Zone 1)

We are fortunate to live in a wonderful community – one with good schools, well-maintained residences, tree-lined streets and residents who care about their neighborhoods.  But, we need to work to maintain what we have developed and we have to do better.  As Zone 1 representative to the MVCC, here are a few of my concerns as well as my hopes for an ever-improving community:

1. Traffic issues:  Like the rest of Los Angeles, our area has been affected by the increase numbers of cars on our streets.  Some of the new residential developments have led to more drivers cutting through our neighborhood in the attempt to shave a few minutes off their drive.  There has been a lack of concern for stop signs and posted speeds.   We need to work with local law enforcement to actually enforce our traffic laws. 
2. Street cleanliness and neighborhood improvement:  Have you driven past Sepulveda and National lately and seen the overflowing trash cans?  One of the first signs of a well-cared for neighborhood is maintenance of our trash collection and the cleanliness of our busiest intersections.   In addition, we need to encourage the continued planting of trees on our streets and the care of the beautiful trees we have.
3. Transit:  I have been a long-time supporter of the Expo (Aqua) Line.  I believe that Los Angeles cannot continue to be a great city without improvements in our transportation. Improved public transit is the only solution; we need a light rail system that would tie into our subway system. 
4. Community involvement:  We need to work together to improve and maintain our neighborhoods.   Whether new to our community or here for decades, we should all be concerned about each other as well as our environment. 

Community Councils have been created to provide the type of input that can really effect change, I would like to represent Zone 1 to try to make sure our voices are heard and our needs are met.

Candidate’s Qualification Statement – Laura Bodensteiner (Zone 2)

My qualifications are:

My husband and I bought our first home here last year. We enjoy gardening and working on our home improvement projects. We love the tree-lined streets and friendly people walking their dogs. We love the convenience of local shopping and the sense of community shared among our neighbors.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from UCLA and a master’s degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. I am a marine biologist at the Santa Monica Baykeeper, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Santa Monica Bay. With my group of volunteer SCUBA divers, we are restoring the vital kelp forest ecosystem in the Bay.

As a council member, I will be an energetic advocate for our neighborhood and will solicit input from all stakeholders. I have strong analytical and organizational skills gained from my career as a scientist. I believe environmental concerns and sustainability are essential components to consider as we make decisions for the future. I will be an enthusiastic supporter of our community and a strong voice to enhance our quality of life.

Candidate’s Vision Statement – Laura Bodensteiner (Zone 2)

We have a wonderful community. I will advocate for policies and actions to keep it wonderful. I will promote sustainable and environmentally friendly decisions. I believe we can strike a balance between important environmental concerns, residential needs and reasonable development.

I am concerned about quality of life issues that affect all of us. Pollution, traffic, airport public safety, and neighborhood beautification are among my top priorities. I want to do my part to make sure the needs of our community are addressed, and I encourage all community members to voice their views. This is our chance to make a difference.

Candidate’s Qualification Statement - Francis Harris (Zone 3)

I have been a member of the Mar Vista community for the past thirteen years.  My wife and I lived in what is now MVCC Zone 4 for almost eight years from 1994 until 2002.  I have also been an active participant at the Ocean View Farms Community Garden located at the intersection of Centinela and Rose Avenues in MVCC Zone 3.  At Ocean View Farms, I was recently (April 8^th, 2006) elected to my second, two year term, as the President of the 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization.  I had previously served a two year term as the treasurer and five additional years as a board member.

Ocean View Farms has always been an organic garden and one of our biggest accomplishments is an extensive compost program.  I am very proud of a program I developed shortly after becoming the President of the garden to help share this wonderful resource with many of the local schools in our neighborhood for their gardens.  While still in a developmental stage, we have already made deliveries to a number of schools in both the Mar Vista and other nearby communities.  I have also spent a significant amount of time working on the garden’s outreach.  I help launch and continue to maintain the garden’s website, www.oceanviewfarms.net, as well as attempting to include the Mar Vista community in a number of other activities and special events held at the garden throughout the year, such as our recent 30^th Anniversary Gala.

Finally, I am the Project Manager for the Grand View Parkway Partners, a group that consists of the garden, the North Venice Little League and the Hilltop Neighbors Association. We are working together, despite often competing agendas, to beautify a large stretch of Grand View Boulevard bordering the little league and garden property. 

Candidate’s Vision Statement - Francis Harris (Zone 3)

It has been a privilege to participant in many of the MVCC committee, board and quarterly stakeholder meetings during the past two plus years.  I look forward to an opportunity to continue and increase this involvement and work toward including more members of the Mar Vista community in this vital level of grassroots government.

I would also like to help the MVCC continue is progress towards advocating for the rights of the community within our city government.

I would also like the opportunity to help advance the efforts of those engaged in efforts to help beautify the Venice Boulevard corridor while also maintaining the charm and elegance of the rest of the Mar Vista community.

Finally, I would like to see Mar Vista become a major contributor in Mayor Villaraigosa’s efforts to ‘Plant One Million Trees” in the urban forest of Los Angeles to help aid and sustain this magnificent environmental asset to our city.

I would be honored to serve on the Mar Vista Community Council.

Frank Harris

Candidate's Qualification Statement - J.D. (John Duffy) Gaydowski (Zone 3):

    I have owned my home and lived within the area of the Mar Vista Community Council for over thirty-four years. I have also served as a public school teacher within the council for eleven and one-half years and later indirectly impacted public education within the Council area as public school administrator in charge of middle schools. My children grew up in the area and attended local public schools.

    I have an abiding interest in the Mar Vista community and have participated in local activities including training for public emergencies/earthquakes, coached numerous youth athletic teams and participated in local scouting organizations over the years. I continue to have great interest in issues that impact our community, including education, the airport, traffic congestion and the future of the community as a largely residential area that will continue to be home to thousands of citizens.

Candidate's Vision Statement - J.D. (John Duffy) Gaydowski (Zone 3):

    As a member of the Mar Vista Community Council, should I be elected, it would be my general purpose to maintain and sustain into the future the high quality of life that we enjoy as members of this community. To that end I would pursue and support resolutions to specific issues that would (1) plan for, control, and limit the flow of traffic through the area, (2) support local public schools in their efforts to serve our children and to reform themselves in order to serve our future needs, (3) limit, it not terminate, the expansion of jet aircraft flights from Santa Monica Airport and/or control the apparently ever-increasing size of such aircraft, and (4) develop community planning efforts to implement controlled growth and change, especially in regard to the development and construction of large scale, non-residential structures and high density residential units that will come to replace smaller, older apartments and single family homes.

Candidate's Qualification Statement – Curt Steindler (Zone 5)

My qualifications are:

            * Native Los Angeleno

            * Attorney for over 15 years with a local practice. (Graduate of UC – Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law)

            * BA in Political Science from CSU – Dominguez Hills

            * Executive Director of a nonprofit animal rescue organization

            * Active with the Mar Vista Community Council since certification

            * Active member of MVCC Urban Planning/Land Use Committee

            * Co-chair of MVCC City Budget Committee

            * Helping create a Farmers’ Market in Mar Vista

            * An understanding of Mar Vista and its place within the greater City of Los Angeles

            * Love of the Mar Vista Community and a willingness to roll up my sleeves and get the job done

Curt S. Steindler

April 28, 2006

Candidate’s Vision Statement – Curt Steindler (Zone 5)

Mar Vista is a unique and vibrant community within the City of Los Angeles, blessed with grand vistas, beautiful homes and its own history. Unfortunately, many people don’t even know we are here. Or worse, they act like we are just a road to get them from the west side to the airport.

As Zone 5 Director, I would fight for:

            * Greater outreach to the entire community, especially those with little representation, such as renters

* More neighborhood input and control over local development

            * More vital businesses within Mar Vista

            * The creation of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, encouraging fewer car trips and more local services

* The fulfillment of the City Charter’s promise of better communications between city departments and our local neighborhoods

* Solutions to the traffic problems that plague not only Mar Vista but all of Los Angeles, which would include eliminating huge, unpopular developments in nearby areas, limiting cut-through traffic, building more mass transit, and encouraging other means of transportation

            * Beautifying Mar Vista with more public trees, prettier street medians and NO BILLBOARDS

            * More Neighborhood Watches and Community Emergency Response Teams

            * Greater public participation in and understanding of the city budget

* A new Community and City Plan that embraces logical development, which includes the interests of the Mar Vista within the Los Angeles Community and makes DEVELOPERS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE

            * Mar Vista’s rightful share of support, monies and services from the City of Los Angeles

I hope that I can represent you as your Zone 5 Director. But more importantly, I hope that all of you will help me work to make our Mar Vista Community a more livable, more beautiful, more democratic, and, in all ways, a better place to live and work.

Curt S. Steindler

April 28, 2006

 Candidate Qualifications – Keith Lambert (Zone 6)

I first came to Los Angeles from Central California in 1980 as a student at Pepperdine University where I received my BS in Business Administration.  My wife Trisha and I have been homeowners in Mar Vista since 1992.

I have been involved in the community and my volunteer efforts include a lot of time spent volunteering with Marina Del Rey Anglers to raise funds for the Youth Fishing program.  Other community organizations I have contributed my time to over the years include the Culver/Palms YMCA, North Venice Little League and the Mar Vista School Enrichment Group.

As a businessman managing property portfolios and directing staff and contractors over many years I have honed my ability to see the common ground and the shared desire for the best results.  And how to motivate teams to accomplish those goals.  Keeping the teams focus on the end result and building coalitions is an acquired skill.

I am married and a proud parent of two fine boys.  One son in Mar Vista Elementary and one son in Palms Middle School.  As a real estate agent with Boardwalk Realty I am very committed to Mar Vista as a community and our neighborhood having the best future with quality living conditions for all.

Our Community Council has been and will continue to be a strong advocate for our combined well being.  I’m eager to help.

Candidate Vision Statement – Keith Lambert (Zone 6)

The Mar Vista neighborhood is one of the best areas in all of Los Angeles County.  I am deeply committed to this community.  I have been a friend to the airport and would take my sons to watch the take offs and landings and tell them tales of their grandfather a Naval Aviator.  But as we watch the jets become an overwhelming influence we must let the community voices be heard.  They Stink.  How many more can we tolerate?

For many years some politicians downtown have stood in the way of a westward extension of the metro line.  Our community council must encourage sound public transpiration.  So we can relieve the traffic congestion that is the scourge of our congested streets and highways.

Road conditions and city services are issues that the council can affect.  As a member of the council I would be an advocate for safety and beautification in all the zones that we represent.  Not just zone 6.