And now the latest news!
Come Join the Culver City Democratic Club for Our Annual Independence Day Picnic, July 4!
Please join the Culver City Democratic Club this July 4 for our annual Independence Day Picnic! The fun lasts from 11AM-3PM at Carlson Park at Braddock Drive and Motor Ave. in Culver City. Bring your own meat to grill and any sides you may want to share. The public is welcome! For more information, contact Bill Wynn at President@CulverCityDemocraticClub.com.
President’s Message by Bill Wynn, June 2012
Greetings CCDC Family,
With the start of the month of June, we are already at the end of the first half of the year and what a ride it has been.. To kick off the year I received the privilege of being elected President of our Club. This year the Club is celebrating our 60th Anniversary. The Club and Culver City voters elected community activist Meghan Sahli-Wells and first time candidate Jim Clarke to the City Council. Culver City voters also made a statement by approving a measure to increase hotel taxes. Measure X increased the city's transient occupancy tax from the former 12 percent to 14 percent. This increase is expected to generate an additional $510,000 a year.
The city is facing a significant budget deficit this upcoming year. The real blame rests with the recession, an outdated roller coaster tax system, the two-thirds legislative vote requirement for tax increases, and an outmoded Proposition 13 property tax system that has shifted power and responsibility from local government to Sacramento. Legislative term limits stunt law makers growth and increase political polarization.
This is our city so let's come together as a team and continue facing challenges one at a time. Let us remain consistent and steady so that we can look forward to a brighter future. Our next General Meeting is on Wednesday June 13th. We will have a discussion on Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking). As many of you know Fracking is a dangerous method of extracting natural gas and oil.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all at out our next meeting.
Redevelopment Issues Discussed at our Next Meeting, May 9
by Gregory Valtierra, Newsletter Editor Culver City Democratic Club will be hosting John Kernick, District Representative for Holly Mitchell's office, as the speaker at our next General Meeting where we'll be tackling the changes Culver City faces with the closing of the Redevelopment Agency. Holly J. Mitchell (D – Culver City), was appointed by Speaker John Perez to a working group specifically to address the needs of cities who will suffer the consequences of the now dissolvent redevelopment agency. The working group held meetings in numerous districts across the state, listening to the needs of cities with projects ongoing and took into account their concerns. Additionally, Assemblymember Mitchell met with stakeholders of Culver City to address concerns that redevelopment has risen. The working group crafted AB 1585 – Redevelopment, with the lead authors being Speaker Perez and Asm. Mitchell. On May 9th John Kernick, district representative for Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, will give an overview of the AB 1585 and its current status as amended by the State Assembly. Prior to serving as District Representative, John Kernick attended the University of California Los Angeles and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. During his career as a student he also worked as a teaching assistant and behavior therapist for Kayne-Eras Center located in Culver City. As a behaviorist Mr. Kernick worked with autistic students of all ages, integrating them into public schools while acting as the chief liaison between clients, parent groups, teacher groups, and administrations in LAUSD public and charter schools. As the District Representative for Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, Mr. Kernick has the pleasure of representing her on the West side of the Assembly District. He covers a geographical area that includes most of the district west of La Cienega Blvd., including West LA, Cheviot Hills, Rancho Park, Westwood, Culver City, Palms, Holmbly Hills, Beverly Hill Adjacent, and Mar Vista. John Kernick is also the chief liaison to the California Veterans Administration, UCLA & higher learning institutions, LAUSD and educational institutions, alcohol & drug abuse programs, Employment Development Department, the DMV, and social services including SSI & Aging. The Culver City Democratic Club General Meeting will be held 7PM Wednesday, May 9, at The Peace Center, 3916 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City.
President’s Message by Bill Wynn, May 2012
Congratulations to Mehaul O'Leary and Andrew Weissman on their reelection to the City Council. They will be joined by our Culver City Democratic Club endorsed candidates Meghan Sahli-Wells and Jim Clarke. Jeff Cooper continues his term as a member of the City Council.
I would like to thank everyone involved in making the Culver City elections as successful as they were. The time and effort people gave for our community is priceless and our community is a better place for it. Our Democratic Club is proud of the candidates that we endorsed. Now we look forward to our candidates representing the community.
[caption id="attachment_4085" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="Meghan Sahli-Wells"]
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Looking back on election day, April 10th, with six candidates aiming for the four seats on the City Council, the voters chose community activist Meghan Sahli-Wells and Los Angeles mayoral aide Jim Clarke as the newest members of the council. I'm proud of our community for making Meghan Sahli-Wells one of few women to be elected to the Council since 1917. The voters showed that they want diversity on the council. I know Meghan is passionate and is ready to represent the community. Many considered Jim Clarke a relative unknown as he campaigned. The Democratic Club and the voters saw something special in Jim. He was voted in on his first attempt at running for political office.
The final tally of the election:
Andy Weissman - 3,083
Meghan Sahli-Wells - 2,909
Mehaul O'Leary - 2,825
Jim Clarke - 2,753
Scott Malsin - 2,370
Stephen Murray - 965
[caption id="attachment_4083" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Jim Clarke"]
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Final count 4,889 votes - 19.6% turnout.
As the mood of the Nation and our City continues to be uncertain due to the struggling economy, our incoming City Council members will face the city's budget crisis. Just as they needed our votes they now will need our support and participation as a unified community. A real significant financial issue facing the City is the closure of the Redevelopment Agency. As a collective community we are a force that can cause change.
In other election news, Culver City voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to increase hotel taxes. Measure X will increase the city's transient occupancy tax from the existing 12 percent to 14 percent. The increase will generate an additional $510,000 a year, according to the city.
We have another important election coming up. Please see the Club's endorsement for Tuesday June 5th Primary Election.
Don't Forget to Vote on Election Day!
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