Balboa Island Forum -My Answers
The following are my more nuanced answers to the questions asked at the September 24, 2022, candidate forum moderated by Lee Pearl with questions from three of the associations on Balboa Island . It was held in the historic (and still operating) Balboa Island Fire Station.
Please note that the answers provided below are those I would have given if the questions had been provided in advance and not restricted to an instant 1-minute, off-the-cuff response. They may not correspond to what I actually said on September 24.
At the actual meetings of the Council on which the candidates may serve, the topics to be discussed and the questions that need to be answered are known in advance -- usually five days in advance. Ideally, each of the seven Council members comes to those twice-monthly meetings with an initial personal response from which, at the meeting, and after hearing the other members' responses, and the public comments on them, they arrived at and approve the collective response that most accurately reflects the community's desires.
I believe candidate forums would be much more informative if they more closely aligned with this description of what the candidates will actually expected to do if elected. In other words, I believe the hosts should provide the candidates in advance with the questions their particular audience wants answered and then give the candidates an opportunity to provide a thoughtful, well-reasoned response, critique the responses they hear from the other candidates, and answer follow-up questions asked of them by the audience and other candidates.
Little Balboa Island Property Owners' Association Questions
Click on the question summaries below to see the full question and my answer.
1. Would you be willing to allocate additional resources to help mitigate the dog mess issue, and do you have any strategies for doing so?
Full question: Balboa Island might be the busiest dog walking spot in California, especially after Covid. To give you an idea of just how busy, the BIIA spends over $10,000 a year on dog pick-up bags. We feel the appearance of our Boardwalks is paramount to our City’s reputation and quality of life. The City currently power washes our exterior boardwalks just 4 times a year. If elected, would you be willing to allocate additional resources to help mitigate the dog mess issue, and do you have any strategies for doing so?
My answer: Yes.
Sidewalks in Balboa Village enjoy a program of aggressive steam cleaning. Balboa Island deserves the same.
2 How far are you willing to go to protect us from more noise and pollution from the airport?
Full question: We consider the expansion of the general aviation facilities at John Wayne Airport a loss with future additional flights and no curfew on private jets. Now we hear about the runway expansion. How far are you willing to go to protect us from more noise and pollution from the airport?
My answer:
Quite far. I like the City to deploy noise monitoring stations on Balboa Island and the Peninsula so the current extent of the problem can be accurately documented, providing something against which improvements can be weighed.
3. How did you vote on Measure B?
Full question: The City's residents recently voted down Measure B, the option of directly electing our Mayor, as opposed to the current system. How did you vote on that issue and why?
My answer: I voted against the measure based on the many flaws I pointed out in extensive written comments I submitted to the Council prior to its being placed on the ballot as well as the reasons listed in a letter posted by Stu News shortly before the June vote.
4. If elected would you be willing to spend money for NEW programs if they improve the quality of life of our residents?
Full question: If elected would you be willing to spend money for NEW programs if they improve the quality of life of our residents? (such as new senior programs?)
My answer: Yes.
Balboa Island Improvement Association Questions
(questions not received)
Balboa Island Merchants Association Questions
(questions not received)
Moderator Question
Many of us consider you the 8th councilmember with your knowledge and research skills and commitment. Are you better suited as the 8th council member watching the hen house or on the Council?
My answer: No. Most criticisms presented from the audience are ignored and questions unanswered. Speaking as a Council member is far more effective, because City staff cannot ignore them. Nor can their colleagues.
Additional Question Submitted by Email
The public emailed the questions below to the hosts prior to the event, but they were not used in the format eventually selected. So they were neither asked nor answered there. Click on the questions to see my answer. (questions not received)