Candidate for
City Treasurer; City of Manhattan Beach

Trust and Accountability

The City Treasurer is the only elected financial position that can act as a "watch dog" over city matters. Since I have had no previous political or business ties to the city, I can bring a fresh view and objectivity to the job of Treasurer and restore Manhattan Beach citizen's trust in city matters.

Recently, the citizens of Manhattan Beach passed a bond for the construction of various buildings at Mira Costa High School to better our education. However, due to gross mismanagement by the school board, only an ostentatious Administration Building was completed. This was the start of an atmosphere that filled the city with apprehension and fear as to how public funds are being spent. This fear was transferred to the city arena with the creation of the Metlox and police/fire projects.

Initially, the City Council proposed a very aggressive plan to develop this site which created a public outcry due to the impact this plan would have in traffic and the overall city environment. In response to this outcry, the City Council scaled down the project to its current, yet, still challenging size. This reduced scale, however, has not restored the public's confidence in their public officials' ability to manage such an endeavor. The missing link of confidence has been an elected financial person that can manage the City' funds and work as a liaison between the city and its constituents.

My pledge of trust and accountability will help build the bridge of confidence between the elected and the electorate in monitoring the use of the community's scarce funds. I bring a new and fresh look to city government with new ideas and responsibilities into the office of Treasurer. Yet, my extensive experience in corporate and non-profit consulting in the areas of budgets and planning equip me with the tools to reinvent the position of City Treasurer.