First in a series
Re “The Price Definitely Was Not Right”
Editor’s Preface: Curren Price, the state senator for Culver City and environs since last May, impressively displayed his moral mettle after this newspaper severely chastised his performance at the Senior Center three weeks ago, on Thursday, Jan. 28. (See the headline above.) Instead of sulking and vanishing, his office called our office to set up a face-to-face meeting. He sent one central message: “I will come to you.”
Accompanied by an aide, the admirably punctual Sen. Price strode into the newspaper’s office one minute before the appointed hour. That is a double shot of classiness that distinguishes Sen. Price from nearly all of his Sacramento colleagues. The aide, a courtly enough gentleman, never spoke. This was the senator’s show.
He never surrendered eye contact during the 60-minute interview. He was forthcoming — whether or not you agree with his responses. He never ducked or deflected a question. Those are pretty rare assets he can take to the polls in November when he seeks his first full term.
Courteous, astute, well-prepared, informed and articulate (that cannot always be taken for granted in a politician — I give you former Gov. Pete Wilson), Sen. Price made his case effectively.
One of the strongest criticisms of Sen. Price by this newspaper was that he had been virtually invisible in Culver City.
When he entered the office, the senator was bearing a sheath of papers that he promptly thrust into the right hand of his interviewer, his itinerary since last August. Like other Los Angeles pols, his district seems to include everything west of Chicago and north of Houston — Los Feliz to Beverlywood to Windsor Hills South L.A.
He will soon open a satellite district office on Overland Avenue.
For the balance of today, let’s merely review his appearances in Culver City. The interview will start with the second installment:
August of ’09
He addressed the City Council on issues facing the state and communities in the district.
He created a 26th Senate District Workforce Development and Training Task Force to develop strategies for creating 10,000 new jobs by the end of ’11, as he promised last year in his campaign for Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’s old seat.
He hosted the 26th District Water Conservation Fair in Culver City, providing an update on scarce water supplies.
Healthcare Reform Town Hall for small business leaders in the district.
He honored 51 distinguished women at his 3rd annual SHeroes award ceremonies.
November of ‘09
He held a Making Your Home Affordable event, offering mortgage counseling and free assistance to troubled homeowners.
He held his Turkey Drive in honor of Thanksgiving, providing 200 turkeys to hungry families.
December of ‘09
He hosted his first District Holiday Gathering and Toy Drive.
January
Holding a series of four town hall meetings throughout the district on pending legislation, senior issues, education and the state budget, the finale was held at the Culver City Senior Center, the night in question.
February
Starting at 9:30 Friday morning, he will convene a hearing of the Joint Committee on the Arts, “The Creative Economy as a Jobs Engine in California,” at the Museum of Design Art & Architecture, 8609 Washington Blvd. As the new chairman, he is convening the first committee hearing in seven years.
Sen. Price declared his support for three Culver City municipal issues:
The successful school Parcel Tax in November, his opposition to the Public Utilities Commission’s proposed modification to accommodate Southern California Edison’s initiative to install above-ground equipment in heir underground distribution systems, and his support for a grant application for a transit oriented development project.
Finally, Sen. Price identified three speaking occasions: Opening of the Summer Concert Series at City Hall, he grand opening of the Westfield Culver City mall and a Chamber of Commerce mixer hosted by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass at the Akasha Restaurant, dwelling on business opportunities.
(To be continued)
