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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County, an Inter-League Organization, and constituent Local Leagues as available in communities holding elections on April 11, 2006 and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Gold Line,
Public Safety,
City Election Schedule
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What is your position on Measure A?
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Answer from Sheng Chang:
I support measure A. Because the Gold line at the Santa Anita intersection has to be grade separated. It ensures the safety of the pedestrians and traffics and also prevent the stagnation of the traffic which is going to be worse on Santa Anita Ave. in the future.
Answer from Peter Amundson:
I support the building of the overpass, I don't believe we need to add to our tax burden to do it. The city should use increases they receive increases in sales and property tax revenues to fund the project.
Answer from Pamela E Blackwood:
YES
At the beginning I was opposed to an extra tax that the people of Arcadia would be paying for the grade separation. I `m still against any increased taxes for basic city services. Now that I have information about the cost, I have decided that the grade separation would be in the best interest to anyone living in Arcadia.
Santa Anita Ave. is a very important street and currently handles over 34,000 vehicle traffic. It provides primary access to the freeway, schools, businesses and homes. It is also a vital safety route for police, firefighters and ambulances.
Measure A is a bond issue that will provide the remaining $8 MILLION for the project. The estimated cost to property owners is $6.97 per year per $100,000 assessed valuation. If your home has an accessed value of $500,000 it will cost you about $35.00 per year. This would be a small price for the citizens to pay. I have friends that live in South Pasadena and complain everyday about the train.
Answer from Robert C. "Bob" Harbicht:
Opposed. The Metrorail, even at peak hours, only comes by every 5 minutes and takes 38 seconds to cross Santa Anita. This is less disruptive of traffic than either of the traffic signals to the north and south of the crossing. An expenditure of $13 million is not warranted. Arcadia has better places to use its $5 million.
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2. How can the City of Arcadia best secure an acceptable standard of public safety?
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Answer from Peter Amundson:
The city currently is understaffed by 15 police officers. Only by dedicating the resources necessary can we attract and retain the officers we need. This must be our first priority. Any new development must be able to pay for any increase in law enforcement they may need.
Answer from Sheng Chang:
The city should have adequate funding for the police and fire departments. Both departments should have sufficient and competent staff to deal with any sefety issues in the city. There should also be some indicators to check on the standards of safety and security, so that the city can compare with.
Answer from Pamela E Blackwood:
We need more police officers and fire figthers however in order to hire them we need more funds.
Answer from Robert C. "Bob" Harbicht:
We already have it. We have a Class 1 fire department and an outstanding police force. Our biggest problem in this area is retaining the fine police officers we have because other cities in lower cost housing areas are trying to lure them away.
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3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a city election in April of the even-numbered years? Do you favor continuing the practice?
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Answer from Peter Amundson:
The advantage of the April 11 election is that voters can focus on local issues and candidates without the clutter of statewide issues.
Answer from Robert C. "Bob" Harbicht:
I favor the statu quo. This insures that maximum attention is paid to the local election. Has worked well for us in the past. If it aint broke, why fix it?
Answer from Sheng Chang:
Advantages, keep the tradition.
Disadvantages, it is more expensive to hold an election which is not the same day as the primary election. I believe we should change the current practice in order to save some expenses (about $60,000.00 to $80,000.00).
Answer from Pamela E Blackwood:
I feel that if we changed our practice this would confuse the public and it is best left alone at this time. YES
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidate answers are presented as submitted except that direct or indirect reference to opponents is not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
