Karlo Silbiger, a refreshingly unique public figure in Culver City, makes his second try for a city commission appointment on Monday night at the City Council meeting, and he judges that the competition “will be pretty close.” Across America, there are not many 25-year-olds who are considered political lightning rods, as some view him. Nor are there many, or any, 25-year-olds as astute, as articulate, as outspoken, who are brandishing a hefty resume claiming about 15 years of experience. Those 15 years, say friends, were well used for training and polishing to a high gloss.
Lately, he has added another set piece to his political personality, a modesty that supporters say is becoming. In recent extemporaneous presentations, Mr. Silbiger, known previously for strongly declaiming stout beliefs about certain positions, has taken to opening with disclaimers, such as “I am not an expert in this area, but…”
Still, no one, including young Mr. Silbiger himself, is predicting he will beat out 6 other rivals for the fifth and final seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission, vacated by Jeanette James.
In a way, when a politician named Silbiger is in a group, the people around him, whether rivals or colleagues, can tend to become background music, so dominant is the voice of whichever Silbiger is speaking. The junior Mr. Silbiger arguably carries the highest profile of any of the 7 contenders for the Parks Commission, a field that includes former City Councilman David Hauptman, Robert F. Smith, Marianne Kim, Michelle Vogel, James Alamillo and Ronald A. Valenzuela.
His father is Gary Silbiger, the Vice Mayor of Culver City, and a much-talked-about 6-year City Councilman known for his iconoclastic social justice agenda. Just as with entertainment celebrities, it was inevitable that father and son Silbiger would be inextricably linked, partially because the son always has been thought of as youthful and partially because the two are perceived as like politicians, which they are not, according to the son.
“It comes as no surprise to anyone that I am something of a controversial figure in the city,” says Karlo Silbiger, who is inclined to be more outgoing and sociable than his father.
“There is no question, in my mind, that my dad and I are extremely different. We have different opinions on issues, definitely different styles in dealing with issues.
Distinguishing Between Them
“I like to think one of my strengths is my ability to get along with everyone. I enjoy listening to opposing opinions. I enjoy debate a lot. My dad, on the other hand, has very strongly held beliefs, and he fights very hard for them. A lot of people love that about him. I love that about him also. But I think that might be a difference between us. We differ on some issues. Without getting too political, I tend to have more of a libertarian streak than he does. I don’t like the government involved as much in certain issues as he does. So we have some political differences as well, and, obviously, experience differences. My experience is almost exclusively in the area of education and youth. His is more in legal and other areas. I hope the Council members will look at me as an individual. Unfortunately, I don’t think that is realistic because there are some people who think I will just be a vote for him. Other people will go around thinking I am doing this in order to run for City Council in two years, which is clouding some peoples’ opinion of me.”
Why does Mr. Silbiger believe he is controversial?
“A couple of reasons,” he says with an open-faced and ever ready smile. “Obviously, my connections to my family. Both of my parents are reasonably controversial. When I go to the Council and the School Board, I say what I think, and that rubs people the wrong way sometimes.
“Anyway, I think it’s going to be a close vote on Monday night. There is a somewhat good chance it will be 2 to 2, and I don’t know what will happen at that point.”
Sitting Down Together
How can a commission applicant soften the perceived harshness of that image? “The only way to do that,” says Mr. Silbiger, “is to show them the common-sense approach I have. The first time I applied, I spoke almost an hour with (Councilman) Andy Weissman. Andy and I don’t know each other. We just met about six months ago. We sat, and I could see as the meeting was progressing, how he was seeing — ‘the stuff Karlo was saying was actually making sense.’ I was not coming up with outlandish proposals.
“It’s just a matter of meeting with the Council members and talking to them. Once you do that, they get the sense of having a closer relationship with the School District, and showing them that making sure our programs match theirs’ is not such a bad idea.”
Will his father the Vice Mayor recuse himself again rather than placing himself in the awkward position of voting on competition where his son is involved?
“I don’t know if he will,” said KarloSilbiger. “I haven’t asked him.”
Has Mr. Silbiger lobbied any of the Council members for their support?
“I have,” he said. “I have spoken to every Council member except for (Mayor) Scott Malsin.”
Two Considerations
What does he tell Councilmen?
“I basically say, ‘I think you need to look at two things when you make an appointment. No. 1 is experience, and people who have actually shown an interest in doing good in Culver City, which I think I have, a lot. If you look at my application, you will see I have a ton of experience in this area. Second is actually taking the application seriously. If you look at my application, it is, like, five or six pages long. I have gone through every question in detail.’
“And if you look at the applications of the others, without obviously insulting anyone, I just think I have probably put in the most time, the most effort, into actually telling them why I am qualified.”
What have the Council members’ responses been?
“A mix,” Mr. Silbiger says. “It’s generally been positive. No one has come to me and said, ‘Karlo, you’re not qualified’ or ‘I don’t think you would do a good job.’ Basically, it has been ‘We have two good candidates or three good candidates, and we are trying to figure out who it should be.’
“I think I probably have two votes. I am not sure if I have a third.”
