[img]1792|right|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]When Tellefson Park residents vote for two City Council seats on April 8, they can be sure their choices are intimately familiar with their most troubling problems – from the still-absent crosswalk that would stretch from the 7Eleven store across to the King Fahad Mosque to the nagging commercial vacancies at long-completed Tilden Terrace.
Although it has been years in coming, there was unanimity that the safety of residents is primary, and therefore there should be a crosswalk. Pedestrians should not be forced to walk well out of their way to safely cross Washington Boulevard, they agreed.
When the crosswalk will happen, though, is a topic for the crystal ball gazers.
There also was unanimity that businesses on the ground floor of the year-old Tilden Terrace apartments should be open and flourishing instead of gapingly empty. It was reported that the landowner has contacted a commercial real estate firm to begin soliciting prospects. “For Lease signs should be showing up within days,” Councilman Jim Clarke promised after noting that the developer had done a bait-and-switch act.
At dusk last evening at the Vintage Faith Foursquare Church, on the edge of child-busy Tellefson Park, three of the four candidates rather impressively displayed in-depth knowledge of what worries the neighborhood.
With Gary Abrams absent, Mayor Jeff Cooper, Councilman Clarke and challenger Christopher Patrick King brought three distinct perspectives to the crowd about midway through the candidate forum season.
Voters left with the possibly comforting feeling that they will have distinct choices.
With community historian Julie Lugo Cerra deftly moderating the program coordinated by David Voncannon of the Tellefson Park Neighborhood Assn., Mr. Cooper launched into his special form of presentation.
Aiming for a second four-year term, he stresses how “I am one of you,” how lengthily he has invested time listening to residents’ complaints and suggestions. I won’t always be able to give you the answers you want, but I will listen. Your safety is my primary concern.”
Once again Mr. King showed himself to be one of the strongest new contenders in recent history for several reasons – because of his voluminous research, intimate knowledge of community and city hall history, and smooth, effective manner of communicating.
Impressively, he ceded no territory, not a syllable of historic background, to either incumbent.
Mr. Cklarke, too, is unique. Since being elected two years ago to completed an unexpired term, he has been the authentic Mr. Community.
Not only has he been ubiquitous, attending hundreds of neighborhood events, but smartly absorbing the high-profile and the arcane personal and civic issues in each dimension of the community.
He can speak longer, more informatively about every corner of Culver City more than any resident, politician or not.
