Page 6 April 17, 2014 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Election 2014 City Council Candidates` from page 5 this issue. One thing is for sure: If we don’t do something to lower this liability, the sooner we allocate more money to it the better. We can not kick the can down the road. That is weak government. Charlotte Ann Svolos: Answer not submitted by deadline. John Paul Tabakian: Special interest groups are planning to destroy our quality of life by injecting large amounts of money to take control of our local government. I am running for City Council to defend Torrance against interest groups that do not care about our community. I am running for Torrance City Council to protect my home from extremists who do not have our best interests at heart. The primary issue at hand is electing political leaders who have strong ties to the city from youth to adulthood. We do not want to elect people who are playing the political card game to win a local election just to use as a stepping-stone to positions of grandeur, whether in Sacramento or Washington DC. As the majority of voters do not take the time to research candidates, our city is in danger of falling into the hands of those who seek to do us harm. I am not comfortable with the heavy-handed tactics of local city unions, including those representing police and fire, which balance their endorsement procedure on whether a candidate will do their bidding. Those who vote for candidates, who are at the disposal of city union bosses, are willing to appoint a wolf to guard the henhouse. I laugh when political candidates tell voters during these forums that the Wall Street Journal and Sacramento Bee have their facts wrong. If you believe these politicians then prepare to kiss your hens goodbye. Kurt Weideman: Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Fiscal Policy are all issues affecting the City of Torrance and the cause of concern amongst the populace. The current City Council, along with City staff is working diligently to address these issues and alleviate citizen concern – but this is not an easy task, as local revenues and funding are not infinite. In Public Safety, Torrance has hired four new police officers in the last two years to confront the problems associated with the release of non-violent, non-sexual offenders from the prisons as a result of AB109. Infrastructure has recently been addressed with the recent passage of the Torrance 5 Year Capital Projects Plan (the first in many years due to the Great Recession). Does this Plan address all our cities sewer, street and sidewalk problems? No, but it does set priorities and provides a vision for the future. Fiscal Policy for the City of Torrance can only be characterized as conservative and frugal, and as a result we did not suffer the consequences in reduced safety and services that faced other localities. As your Councilman, I will continue to work with my colleagues, staff and you to mitigate these issues. Thank you Candidates! • Kudos for Torrance Tribune I have been in the South Bay since 1977 and specifically in Torrance for over a decade. I am so happy we finally have a local paper that caters only to Torrance. Besides this, they have done a wonderful job covering the election. I am one of the 16 candidates running for Torrance City Council and we appreciate the fact that the Torrance Tribune is putting so much effort in gathering all of our opinions and answers. Giving the candidates an opportunity to introduce ourselves really levels the playing field. Many candidates have not raised enough money to be able to buy ads and print thousands of flyers. This really gives everyone an opportunity that other papers have failed to provide. I thank the Torrance Tribune for being here for the community. – Aurelio Mattucci Spring Exhibition My husband Chuck and I love a finely curated display with art of dynamic purpose encouraging us to peddle our bicycles whatever necessary distance to slake our cultural quest, replenishing our esoteric discoveries through art. The California Museum of Fine Art situated as a pristine jewel in downtown Torrance - its 4/12/2014 reception elegantly ushered the viewers steeped enthusiasm into a multi-faceted dimension, the walls privileged to be embraced by extraordinarily beautiful paintings; the accented wood-floor populated with the most perfect regency furniture composing luxuriant comfort for those desiring to sit while they examine the equally meticulously crafted tabled sculpture. Now that our cultural agenda is completely satisfied; we generously thank the California Museum of Fine Art for the profound gravity of its cultural contribution to the South Bay. – Dora Perez-Meyer Wants in Our Politically Speaking Column Regarding the upcoming Torrance City Council elections, you might want to consider publishing the following in your “Politically Speaking” section: On April 2, I attended the “candidates debate” at South High in Torrance. The most disappointing aspect of the event was that the meeting was hosted by the League of Women Voters. This organization insists that any questions voters may have of the candidates must first be screened by the League. Questions directly from the audience are forbidden. Having been in two communist countries (Hungary and East Berlin) I am particularly sensitive to any violation of the democratic forum. Attending a meeting where prospective candidates for public office are protected fro questions from the very constituents they aspire to represent, suggest a contempt for those constituents who took the time to attend the meeting. The result, an evening characterized by the most anodyne questions, guaranteed to protect the candidates and demonstrate belittlement for the audience. – Abraham Levine Letters Mark Matsuda Appointed Police Reports New Torrance City Police Chief By Jaime Le - City of Torrance Community Relations Specialist Torrance, Calif., April 9, 2014 – Torrance City Manager, LeRoy J. Jackson is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Matsuda as its new Police Chief. Since starting his career in 1987 at the Torrance Police Department, Mark Matsuda has risen through the ranks of Sergeant, March 31, 2014 – April 5, 2014 Burglary-Commercial 4/6/2014 8:00:00 AM 2200 BLOCK CARSON ST Suspect(s) tears off screen, smashes window for entry and ransacks/ unknown if loss at time of report Burglary-Residential 4/5/2014 10:45:00 PM 200 BLOCK VIA LA CIRCULA Suspect(s) removes screen, forces open window, reaches in to unlock door, ransacks and takes property/ watch, cell phone, pillowcase Burglary-Residential 4/4/2014 11:20:00 PM 2700 BLOCK 233RD ST Suspect(s) kicks in door for entry/ unknown if loss at time of report Vandalism 4/6/2014 1:25:26 PM 1500 BLOCK CABRILLO AVE Suspect(s) smashes business window/ no entry, no loss Theft 4/4/2014 7:00:00 AM 17200 BLOCK YUKON AVE Suspect(s) takes unsecured property from patio/ bicycle Robbery-StrongArm 4/3/2014 6:30:00 AM 6200 BLOCK PACIFIC COAST HWY Suspect forcibly attempts to take victim’s property from her possession/ book bag Burglary-Commercial 4/6/2014 2:00:00 PM 21100 BLOCK VICTOR ST Suspect(s) enters business by unknown means and takes property/ espresso machine, chairs, tables Theft 4/2/2014 6:50 PM 19300 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect(s) takes property from shopping cart as victim shops/ purse Theft 4/2/2014 12:23:41 PM 20400 BLOCK VICTOR ST Suspect(s) takes property from victim’s unattended purse/cash Auto Theft 4/2/2014 10:40:00 AM 2900 BLOCK SEPULVEDA BLVD Stolen vehicle: ‘03 Chevrolet Tahoe Auto Theft 4/2/2014 2:10:57 AM 2000 BLOCK 161ST ST Stolen vehicle: ‘00 Acura Integra Burglary-Commercial 4/2/2014 5:00:00 AM 4100 BLOCK PACIFIC COAST HWY Suspect(s) forces open window and takes property/TV Theft 4/1/2014 8:35:00 PM 19300 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect(s) takes property from rear of location/ bales of cardboard Theft 4/1/2014 4:30:00 PM 3500 BLOCK EMERALD ST Suspect(s) cuts lock and takes property from carport/ bicycle Theft 4/1/2014 4:40:00 AM 2500 BLOCK DESCANSO WAY Suspect(s) cuts cable and takes property/ cable provider amplifier Theft 4/1/2014 4:40:00 AM 17500 BLOCK PURCHE AVE Suspect(s) cuts cable and takes property/ cable provider amplifier Theft 4/1/2014 4:40:00 AM 17500 BLOCK DAPHNE AVE Suspect(s) cuts cable and takes property/ cable provider amplifier Theft 4/1/2014 4:40:00 AM 2200 BLOCK DESCANSO WAY Suspect(s) cuts cable and takes property/ cable provider amplifier Theft 4/1/2014 4:40:00 AM 2200 BLOCK DESCANSO WAY Suspect(s) cuts cable and takes property/ cable provider amplifier Vandalism 4/1/2014 2:20 AM 3700 BLOCK MICHELLE DR Suspect(s) slashes victim’s vehicle’s tires Burglary-Auto 3/31/2014 6:23 PM 3600 BLOCK 182ND ST Suspect(s) enters unlocked vehicle and takes property/purse Burglary-Auto 3/31/2014 6:45:00 PM 2700 BLOCK SKYPARK DR Suspect(s) enters unlocked vehicle and takes property/briefcase Theft 3/31/2014 2:30:00 PM 3600 BLOCK 182ND ST Suspect(s) takes property off of table while victim is distracted/ cell phone Burglary-Residential 3/31/2014 4:45:00 PM 4200 BLOCK CALLE MAYOR Suspect(s) attempts to pry open window/ no entry, no loss • Lieutenant, Captain, and Newly appointed Torrance Police Chief Mark Matsuda Deputy Chief to becoming the 9th Police Chief of the City of Torrance. He will receive his new badge on Tuesday, April 15 at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting which begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall (3031 Torrance Blvd.). Matsuda graduated from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy in 1987 and was recognized as the Honor Cadet. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Chapman University and concurrent with his assignment as a new Lieutenant, earned a Master of Arts in 2007. Matsuda is married and has 3 daughters. Prior to his appointment as Chief, Matsuda worked for three years on the department’s first gang detail, and then served five years on the Crime Impact Team. He has also worked as the departments first Community Lead Officer and has assumed the role of Administrative Bureau Commander since April 2011. Matsuda has been serving as Interim Chief since Chief Neu’s retirement in January 2014. Mark has distinguished himself in a variety of command level positions including patrol, personnel and special operations. He is actively engaged both in front and behind the scenes in providing the highest standards and optimum public service. “Mark’s experience, education, training, and community involvement are reflective of his professional commitment to law enforcement and to the City of Torrance,” stated Mayor Frank Scotto. • Veterans to be Honored at 55th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration & Parade Beginning Friday, May 16, 2014, through Sunday, May 18, 2014, the City of Torrance will pay tribute to the nation’s Armed Forces with its 55th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade – the City’s longest standing tradition. Each year, the city honors a different military branch; this year highlights the United States Navy. Grand Marshal, Rear Admiral Patrick Lorge, Commander, Navy Region Southwest, will lead the Parade on Saturday, May 17, 2014, that will begin at 1:30 pm. Military Exhibits: Vehicles and support equipment on display outside the Public Safety Center in the east parking lot at the Del Amo Fashion Center (Mall Entrance 11), Friday May 16, 2014, from 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday May 17, 2014, from 3 to 8 pm; and on Sunday May 18, 2014, from 11 am to 3 pm. Free Concert: The Navy Band Southwest will perform for free at the James Armstrong Theatre on Friday, May 16, 2014, at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the Box Office on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 beginning at 10 am. There is a limit of four tickets per adult (18+). Ticket holders must be in their seats 15 minutes prior to concert time. There will be a line available for empty seats beginning See Veterans, page 14
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