Candidate for
Councilmember; Proposed City of San Fernando Valley; District 8

We're paying twice the tax for the services received. (That's why Los Angeles is demanding alimony payments. It's money we already pay for services we don't receive now!) Our taxes are supposed to cover 2,000 Police Officers. We have half that amount currently. We have passed bonds for new Police stations. Where are they? Why is the "West Valley Police Station" still in Reseda? We're paying taxes to build mass transit. Where's our subway or light rail? Even Metrolink runs so infrequently it's not as beneficial as it should be. Stop supporting high paid city executives that are paid more than the Governor or the President. Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of cities in efficiency. City Hall just wants to bleed us for more money, less service. Look closely at who's supporting the anti-cityhood movement. It's big businesses, big unions, and big politicians who stand to lose their influence. Then look at San Diego or Phoenix, successful cities about the size of our Valley.

A Vote for Barry Seybert:

Fight Ahmanson Ranch Development. Support the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy's attempt to purchase the land and preserve it.

Restrict traffic flow on Victory Blvd. West of Valley Circle.

Create our own Police and Fire Departments. Retain officers presently working our neighborhoods at the same pay and benefit levels. Put Police Stations out in the West Valley and other areas that have expanded beyond a "reasonable response time" circumference. Even if they must be "sub-stations" that can be staffed 24/7.

Work towards our own School District. Retain existing teachers at the same pay and benefit levels.

No tolerance for gangs, graffiti, or hardened criminals. It will be OUR city. We can take it back and enforce the laws that get overlooked, especially if we have the Police manpower.

Support gun registration. Educational programs for gun use. Controlled ammunition sales. I am not against gun ownership. I would love to see the NRA participate in developing such a program. Eventually criminals would find it tough to find untracable guns. It will take years, but we need to start now.

Improve mass transit across the Valley. Support light rail or monorail system. Increase Metrolink hours of operation.

Redevelop depressed neighborhoods through federal funding with low cost housing and jobs. Keep the Homeless Shelters open year round and develope a job training program in which the homeless work for the City and can then can go back into society and the general work force.

Improve the business environment to bring back jobs. Reduce the gross business tax, incentives for the Entertainment Industry and other businesses to bring and keep jobs in the Valley. Incentives for companies that will allow off rush hour flex time or telecommuting for their employees.

Fully empower Neighborhood Councils. Have them become the area Town Hall where local community issues are decided. The Councilperson will have non-voting representation at the meetings. A vote on an issue by Neighborhhod Council will be considered like a local "Congressional Decision". The Councilperson can then pass or veto the decision.

English speaking employees at City Hall who fully understand, speak, and spell English correctly, as well as a bi-lingual staff. I'm tired of talking to people who can not understand enough English to take a name or phone number properly. The same should hold true for those needing bi-lingual help. They should have a translator assist them through the entire process to be sure their concern is properly met.