Former School Board member Scott Zeidman presently is championing the cause of Measure Y. Not surprisingly, he is once again was relying upon youth to help with another Culver City cause.
Why Measure Y and why you?
“Measure Y is the much needed temporary half-cent sales tax increase. The money goes directly to Culver City. Sacramento doesn’t touch it. While Culver City gets the full benefit of the tax revenue, Culver City residents don’t fully fund the tax. Indeed, estimates are that between 50 percent and 80 percent of the revenue will be generated by non-residents who are shopping and dining in Culver City. Like Measure EE before it, we need Measure Y to combat the damage that Sacramento has done, and is doing, to cities like Culver City.”
“Why me? Good question. I thought I was done with local politics (after losing 11 months ago in a close School Board election). I was at home enjoying my family when I received a call from Vice Mayor Jeff Cooper. Jeff is a persuasive man who is doing a wonderful job on our City Council. Jeff invited me to his home on a Saturday morning. I was thinking pizza and college football. Cool. When I got there, the Measure Y Committee meeting was taking place. Next thing I knew, I was in charge of a citywide walk. Like I said, Jeff is persuasive.”
You mention Measure EE, the parcel tax. How does Measure Y compare to Measure EE?
“Both measures are out of necessity. We didn’t push Measure EE because we wanted to. We didn’t push merely to add money to the CCUSD budget. We promoted Measure EE because Sacramento – notice a trend here? – decided that funding education wasn’t a priority. We wanted to allow the students the best chance to succeed. To do that, we needed more funding. Hence, we had Measure EE.
“Measure Y is virtually identical, but with a different audience. Since 2008, Culver City has lost $4.5 million in state funding, $6 million in local revenue due to the economy and housing markets, and $40 million annually through Sacramento’s elimination of our Redevelopment Agency. This has left the city unable to fund essential public services at the levels necessary to meet current and future needs, without depleting the city's emergency reserves. Without Measure Y, we are looking at a reduction in police patrol levels, an increase in emergency and 9-1-1 response times, reducing or eliminating programs for seniors and on the parks, and reductions in other services including streets, sidewalks, trees.
“I have lived here virtually my whole life. After graduating law school from U.C. Davis, I chose to come back and start a family in my home city, Culver City. It’s a great place to live with great people. While I don’t want increased taxes, I don’t mind nearly as much when I know that the taxes will go directly to Culver City.”
Your walk last Saturday appears to have successful. How did you get so many people out to support Measure Y?
“The first thing is, Measure Y is so good, and so needed, it was easy to get people to support it. Getting upwards of 225 volunteers was great. What was far more gratifying was getting over 100 students to come out on a Saturday morning and volunteer their time for the city. I contacted Culver City High School baseball coach Rick Prieto. I asked him if members of the baseball team might be interested. I was hoping for a half-dozen . Saturday morning, virtually every baseball player came out, as did Coach Prieto, and some of the players’ parents, all to support Measure Y. Members of the Interact Club came out. Members of the Muslim Student Assn. came out. Members of various other clubs and teams came out.
“Now let me dispel the ‘they had to get their service hours in’ claim. We had over 100 students. I, and only I, was authorized to sign service hour forms. With 100 volunteers, you’d think I would sign close to 100 forms. Nope. I signed a total of seven service hour forms. The students came out because they cared. I think former Mayor Alan Corlin put it best: ‘It’s great to see our students so involved and motivated. It never surprises me, the number of people who will do the right thing when the right thing needs to be done.’”
We’ve heard reports you may make another run at the School Board or possibly for City Council. What is next for you?
“First, let’s get Measure Y approved. After that, well, did you know that I have two boys? My youngest, Brandon, was four when I started on the School Board. The way I did my time with the Board meant that I would attend an event, game, presentation, assembly, PTA meeting or booster club meeting virtually every night of the week. Many days, I would see Brandon in the morning and then put him to bed at night, but not see or talk to him in between. Now, I manage his Little League baseball team. My elder son Jason, Brandon and I play football in the street. We go to movies and sporting events together. We read together, yes, read together. My wife, Aileen, is the busy one, donating her time to the Ed Foundation, El Marino, Friends of the Culver City Library and the VYC.
“My life is less frantic, and it’s pretty darned good. Right now, I’m focusing on family and Measure Y. See me in a year. Who knows what the answer might be.”
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com
