Candidate for
Council Member; City of Rancho Palos Verdes

I graduated from USC in 1971 with honors and participated in a unique program called Urban Studies which provided an in-depth look at what makes a community work and lessons learned at that time continue to shape my view of the ideal community.

I moved RPV with my wife Lorraine, daughter Rose and family dog Champ because I felt RPV had all of the qualities that make up that ideal community: excellent schools; abundant open space; safe neighborhoods; and the quality of the people who also claimed this city their home. I am committed to making sure this remains the best place to live in the South Bay.

One of my core beliefs is that I take responsibility for myself, my decisions and the world I live in. My long list of community service exemplifies that I am person of action that will implement that core belief. To list a few:

2004-present RPV Planning Commissioner, Chair 2006-2007

2007-2009 Developed the RPV Green Building Program in conjunction with Planning Staff

2008- present Member of South Bay Council of Government's Green Task Force

2004-present Member of the Mariposa Circle of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

2008 completed Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)

2002-2004 Co-Chair of the Open Space, Recreation and Parks Task Force to update the Parks Master Plan. Chair of the Open Space Subcommittee, member of the Upper Point Vicente subcommittee

2002-2004 Executive Committee member of the PV/Southbay Chapter of the Sierra Club

2003 Conservation Service award from the Sierra Club

2002 Conservation Award from the Palos Verdes/ South Bay Chapter of Audubon Society

2002 Certificate of Recognition from Senator Betty Karnette for commitment to conservation efforts in RPV

2002 Worked on Goals Report for General Plan Update

2000-2001- Developed alternative habitat preservation/trail plan for Upper Point Vicente. With help of SOC II (City Founders) ultimately saved this public space for all of our residents. Later help the Terranea resort with a state-of-the-art environmental design.

1997-2004 Involved with formation of the Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP)

In addition to having the commitment and experience to preserve our natural open spaces, I also have extensive business experience. For more than 35 years I have been involved in real estate development learning every aspect of the business from contracting to the legal and financial knowledge needed to achieve my goals. I specialized in preserving the historic buildings in the Venice area and quickly found that not only did I not waste resources by recycling older buildings but, because of the cultural value and charm of these historic buildings, I was getting the same rent per square foot as my colleagues did with their more wasteful and expensive "tear down and build new" approach. I am an alternative thinker and created a niche in the industry that was a win-win: not only was it profitable but I helped preserve the cultural heritage of a community.

I believe informed decision makers make informed decisions: get the facts straight; strive for clarity; get the input from the many talented and intelligent residents of RPV; respectfully deliberate the issue with fellow Council members; and once a decision is made let the public know why you have made that decision.

As a retired businessman, I now have the time to devote to the demanding job of Councilman and would be honored to be your representative.