Business owner and Civil Service Commissioner Albert Vera officially pulled papers this week to appear on the City Council ballot in the April 10election.
Flanked by his girlfriend, Kimberly Griffin, campaign treasurer Hal Berman, Mayor Jeff Cooper, and longtime supporter Ira Diamond, Mr. Vera met with City Clerk Jeremy Green and made official his intent to run for one of two available seats that will be vacated by Mr. Cooper and Jim Clarke. Both are termed out.
“Albert simply has a heart of gold,” Mr. Diamond said.
“I know we can count on him to always do what is right, represent all of our interests fairly and make improving our neighborhoods his No. 1 priority.”
Mr. Vera said he is “anxious to bring my business experiences to City Hall.
“We need to be smart about our city’s finances.
“We also have to focus on important issues like attainable housing for working professionals, public safety for all residents and intelligent ways of dealing with traffic, transportation and mobility.
“We need to move forward by working together to address our challenges. We need to take advantage of the opportunities we have before us.
“We need to balance economic development with the special qualities that make Culver City unique.”
Mr. Vera’s vision for Culver City includes focusing on the need for attainable housing for seniors and young professionals, support for the city’s protective services and the need to be smart about traffic and development.
“We have attracted some great high-tech companies,” he said, “and a new public transportation hub.
“We have seen lots of positive development.
“All of that success comes with a price,” Mr. Vera said.
“We must make sure that development is done correctly. We must take care of the less fortunate.
“We need to do that without constantly coming to our residents to increase taxes.”
Mayor Cooper said he is supporting the second-generation Council seeker for basic reasons.
“Albert understands our city,” said the mayor, not only by carrying on the great family tradition of being a giving person, but by getting involved as a volunteer on many committees, and with non-profit organizations.”
Mr. Vera’s father served on the City Council 12 years, from 1992-2000, and from 2002-2006.
He said he hopes to give back to the community that supported him and his family through good times and bad by s guiding the city as it takes on future challenges.
“Knowing Albert and his generosity, this is an ideal opportunity for him to expand his participation in the city he really loves,” said Ms. Griffin.
Born in Culver City, Mr. Vera attended St. Augustine Elementary School and St. Bernard High School, while helping his parents, Albert and Ursula, in their landmark Sorrento Italian Market on Sepulveda Boulevard.
He spent 15 years as a Police Dept. reserve officer, while continuing to help run Sorrento. In the meantime, he married and had a daughter, Alexandria.
The Sorrento market retains its old-world charm.
Mr. Vera has made numerous upgrades, including the introduction of new imports from all over Italy and the creation of what has become one of Southern California’s finest Italian wine departments.
Mr. Vera has maintained the broad philanthropic efforts undertaken by his father, which has shaped his attitude toward how the city should be run.
“We need to look out for everyone who calls this city ‘home,’” Mr. Vera said. “Culver City should be a safe and welcoming environment for families at all levels of the economic spectrum.
“I am committed to making sure our schools, our police department, our fire department and our parks system have the resources they need to create that environment.”
He is a member of the C Exchange Club and has served on both the Landlord/Tenant Board and the Civil Service Commission, where he currently serves. The five-member commission is charged with advising the City Council on all matters concerning Human Resources administration.
Mr. Vera also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Culver-Palms Family YMCA Board of Managers and the board of Upward Bound House, a non-profit agency that works to find permanent, supportive housing for homeless children and their families.
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com