TORRANCE TRIBUNE May 1, 2014 Page 3 Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub ELECTION 2014 metro.net/srtp2014 14-1814ps ©2014 lacmta We’re delivering on our promise. The Draft 2014 Short Range Transportation Plan is available for public comment. The Plan highlights how Metro is delivering on projects and programs over the next ten years. Attend a Community Meeting in your area: May 6, 2014, 6:30pm san gabriel valley El Monte Metro Bus Station 3rd Floor 3449 Santa Anita Av El Monte, CA 91731 May 7, 2014, 6:30pm gateway cities Salt Lake Park Recreation Center Lounge 3401 E Florence Av Huntington Park, CA 90255 May 8, 2014, 6:30pm south bay cities Hawthorne Memorial Center 3901 W El Segundo Bl Hawthorne, CA 90250 For more information, visit metro.net/srtp2014 or call the hotline at 213.922.2833. If you are not able to attend a meeting, you can still submit comments by May 12, 2014 to: Countywide Planning & Development One Gateway Plaza Mail Stop: 99-23-2 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Attention: Robert Cálix metroplan@metro.net All Metro meetings are held in ADA accessible facilities. Translations and other ADA accommodations are available by calling 213.922.2833 at least 72 hours in advance. 323.466.3876 Español 中文 한국어 日本語 Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย Հայերէն hgmfm русский Questions for the Mayoral Candidates The Torrance Tribune complied a number of questions from Torrance residents and businesses to pose to the candidates for Mayor and City Council. We will publish two questions per week. Each candidate has a 200-word limit per question. Herald Publications does not edit or change any candidate’s answers. We have a lot of pending retirements coming up in Torrance including the Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Manager, City Clerk, in addition to a new Mayor and 4-5 open council seats. What are your ideas on how to make this as seamless a transition as possible? Tom Brewer: We do have many employees nearing retirement, although for the most part they are yet to be announced. Our Police Chief John Neu has retired, and our new chief Mark Matsuda is an excellent example of how well every one of our department heads have groomed their senior staff to be ready to move to the next level. It is so fortunate that our residents are actually even thinking about this issue and a testament to our chiefs and management that they are held in such high esteem. Our city manager LeRoy Jackson has been grooming the executive staff for the day that he eventually leaves (although I heard the same rumors when I was elected in 2006) and I am confident we will find a very talented and capable replacement from inside city ranks. I have worked closely and effectively with every one of our executive staff over the last eight years, which will help make the eventual transition a smooth one. Our city clerk is elected, however there are two individuals running to replace Mrs. Herbers that actually work in the office. When Mayor Scotto and I ran for our seats in 2006, I watched how Mayor Scotto worked to build a team even while he was running for mayor. I have been reaching out to every council candidate, to get to know them, and to start developing a seamless transition to the next city council Pat Furey: The City of Torrance has a rich history of departmental succession. I know that if the need arises we have many city staff members who could seamlessly step into the position of their department head – or even a position with greater responsibility. I like to call this “The Torrance Way.” For example, after Police Chief John Neu recently retired, Chief Mark Matsuda, who had been serving as deputy chief, moved up as acting chief during the promotional process, and ultimately was selected as the new chief. Noteworthy, there were five other members of the Torrance Police Department who applied for the position. And, frankly, each of them has the qualifications and experience to serve as the chief of police. I am confident that if the opportunity arises to fill an executive staff position in the future, the City of Torrance is well prepared. The elected positions of City Clerk and Council members is up to the Torrance voters. I would caution all citizens to choose wisely. Contrary to some beliefs, an election is not a popularity contest. Those elected to these very important positions will be charged with leading our city for the next four years. I am confident that the voters in Torrance will make the right decisions. And, I look forward to working with whoever is elected. And, I will do my utmost to show them “The Torrance Way” and help them take on the responsibilities that they have sought. Bill Sutherland: I believe this is why we need someone whose leadership is trusted and proven. My 33 years of running a successful business have honed my leadership skills. The ability to make the hard decisions, keep customers satisfied and employees happy are all responsibilities I handle on a daily basis. As Regional Commissioner for AYSO, I had to ensure smooth transitions of the leadership of a program for 1200 children, twice. We have appointed a new Police Chief from within the ranks of the Torrance Police Department. Internal promotions are my preferred way of filling staff vacancies if at all possible. There is the possibility of other Department heads retiring in the near future and an important criterion will be the candidate’s ability to ensure effective leadership to preserve and enhance our quality of life. Replacing City Manager LeRoy Jackson is a formidable task in light of his excellent service to our community. This will be one of the key considerations of the new Council and Mayor. Council Vacancies are filled by a vote of the people. Torrance has an astute electorate who will make their decisions based on the candidate’s history of service to Torrance and knowledge of Government operations. How would you support our police and fire? Tom Brewer: Our city council has provided both groups with the latest equipment and technology. I would continue this practice when I am the mayor. I think that we need to look at innovative means to address issues, before we hire more officers. We have to be opened minded and stay abreast of latest options and best practices because technology is evolving so rapidly. When the need arises to add more safety personnel, I would support it, as I did when we voted to add more police officers to help our city deal with prisoners released by the State under Assembly Bill 109. Police and fire personnel also want to know that when they make the split second decisions, they will not be second guessed by their own city council. Over the last eight years this has always been the case when protocols were properly followed. I will make sure that we continue that level of support. Pat Furey: Public safety is paramount in Torrance. It is one of the top two or three reasons why every resident lives here and every business is located here. As a former police officer and prosecutor, I have a unique understanding of the needs of our safety officers. And, during my six years on the council, I have encouraged and supported all of the progressive efforts by police and fire to provide superior service to our community. As the next mayor, I have pledged to continue my support of these two very important city departments. And, I am proud that the rank and file men and women who protect and serve us every day – the Torrance Bill Sutherland: Our Police and Fire departments are largely responsible for the high safety rating our city enjoys. Support not only means a competitive compensation package, but also training and equipment. My first year on Council, with the cooperation of TFFA, we added a Paramedic unit at minimal cost to the City. This was a win-win for the residents and the City. Two years ago when the Regional Bearcat was unavailable to our Police on more than one occasion, I initiated talks with then Chief Neu to purchase our own Bearcat so that our officers wouldn’t have to look elsewhere to be kept out of harms way, one was purchased in December of 2013. It is essential that the city’s promotional processes identify the most competent leaders for supervisory positions. I am a big proponent of succession planning and promoting from within. It is also support in an imperfect world, to take action when something goes wrong, determine responsibility, and see where we can operationally improve from the experience. Thank you Candidates! •
Torrance 05_01_14
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