Campaigning is not as easy as it appears. Many groups and organizations request your time. If you have a regular job, forget it.
Let’s get to the Democratic Corral Forum last week Approximately 60 attendees.
Five years ago while walking for the School Board, I was a registered Independent, in protest of the Iraq War.
My neighbor Meghan invited me to participate in the Democratic Forum. The only requirement was that you were a Democrat. A problem easily rectified with the touch of a pen.
The two winners for three seats were members Mr. Karlo Silbiger and Ms. Kathy Paspalis. I wasn’t endorsed, but managed to receive a respectable 17 votes. Robert Zirgulis, Mr. Z, was also left out.
I vowed never to return.
Have you ever done something against your what we from the old school refer to as “Mother Wit.” “Intuition” for you sophisticated folks. Here I am at another one. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Candidate literature and yard signs were available from the big three. I am no longer amazed that most candidates who claim to be “green” or “environmentally friendly,” are still using the ancient practice of yard signs and mailers. Not just the cost, but the waste of resources, not to mention the landfill space. The internet is the way of the future.
While waiting, I had engaged in a conversation with union keader Ms. Debbie Hamme and School Board member Ms. Nancy Goldberg. I asked Ms. Hamme, how was my suggestion of teaming up working out with Assn of Classified Employees and the Teachers Union. She said they were going their separate ways. Irreconcilable differences.
Showtime – House Rules: Two- minute opening and closing. A 90-second response to questions.
The order was as seated with each candidate rotating.
Mr. Christopher P. King was up first. He reminded the audience of how much the Club missed Mayor Jeff Cooper. Then he proceeded to speak about having some fresh (new) ideas, such as taking advantage of the film industry’s history to increase traffic into Culver City. Like painting a yellow brick road from the train stop into Downtown. He must have forgotten about catching the waiting pedi- cabs he mentioned at the Senior Center forum. It seemed like a standing ovation. I was waiting for the encore.
Mayor Cooper was next. He stated he would continue to protect Culver City and pretty much the same as his website says. Moderate clapping.
City Councilman Jim Clarke followed. He reminded the audience he had called for a statewide ban on fracking. They must play tag team with the issue. Mr. Cooper claimed that one at the Senior Center. Pretty much the same stuff that is on his mailer. Respectable clapping.
My trademark candidate’s opening statement came next. How many of you use the internet?
About 15 hands went up, 10 more than at the Senior Center
How many vote for someone because you have received unsolicited literature or saw a yard sign? This one usually gets the same response. None. Come on now. You just don’t want to admit it.
I proceeded with the “Baydoun’s Philosophy,” short version.
This campaign is about putting Culver City first.
We face serious challenges and changes at all levels of our community.
We are challenged to make decisions on how and where to allocate our city’s diminished resources while needs of our residents continues to increase.
But challenges never should define Culver City. We should be defined by our unique ability to leverage the honest and studious character of our residents to overcome these tests.
No one person can solve all of Culver City’s problems. It is going to take people who are willing to come together and work across the aisles to bring about a change desperately needed.
Personally I vow to work diligently to bring together the different cultures in our community, as it is our differences we should embrace.
It is our diversity that makes us strong. Let’s work together to extinguish the fear that sets us apart.
Working together we can restore the pride and confidence of our city.
Putting Culver City first means transcending personal bias and relegating personal interests in favor of the greater good, helping our neighbors because it’s the right thing to do.
Putting Culver City first requires that our elected officials and public servants set aside ideological or personal differences to attend to the service of the residents.
I heard three or four hands clapping in the same area. I know Mr. Z was one set. He was sitting behind Ms. Goldberg and Ms. Hamme. Now I am scanning the room for the rotten eggs and tomatoes to follow.
What a difference five years make. Things and people have really changed, and not for the better either. Common courtesy is no longer viable issue.
Question and answer time: (not necessarily in this order)
1. How can you get more people into Culver City?
By now I am concentrating on how to graciously leave this place. I am not really hearing the other candidates’s responses any more. So the order of questioning is not accurate.
My turn. How about the ice skating rink?
2. Can there be something done about a real estate agent getting a double commission (represents both seller and buyer) and getting a reduction?
Mr. Clarke and I punted to the two mortgage brokers.
They both agreed that all this can be negotiated.
3. How can we get more voter participation during the elections?
I really did not hear the other candidates’ answers. (I am concentrating on how to gracefully get out of here.) Where is my family when I need them? I get calls every ten minutes. Nothing.
My answer: The internet.
What can be done about the commission of an agent that represents seller and buyer?
Mr. Clarke and I punt that question to the mortgage brokers, Mr. King and Mr. Cooper.
Both agree that the fee points can be negotiated.
4. How can the city employees’ pension payout be decreased?
Mr. Clarke and Mr. Cooper took a stab at it. I do not recall if Mr. King tried his hand.
I have been around long enough to know the loaded audience question, The ones where the participant already knows the answer.
This was more of a pep rally for the chosen ones. Members only.
At some point I mentioned the Natatorium, Affordable Housing and some form of rent control that was fair to both the renter and the landlord.
Closing statements:
I stated that you do not have to be a rocket scientist to serve on City Council.
What is important is intelligence, common sense, wisdom, compassion and integrity.
Lacking in most of the elected officials these days.
“The will of the people. All that is required is the political will on the part of City Hall and active engagement from city residents to make sure that the city has the will,” as Ms. Frederik so eloquently stated.
Mr. Clarke, who was seated right next to me, stated that he must have some redeemable quality.
The first time I met Mr. Clarke at the Chamber of Commerce endorsement meeting I told him that I liked him. He looked me with a puzzled face, probably thinking should he laugh or cry.
I smiled and pointed to the bottom of my paper. He quickly glanced but I do not think he read it.
It was the rest of my speech which I purposely chose not to use.
If you must insist I will share it with you this time only.
Lie: barefaced, a half-truth and BS.
Decision Time
Voting time – All four candidates leave the room.
I get a chance to mingle with the other candidates. They really come off as nice people.
The Party endorsed Mr. Christopher King (most votes) and Mr. Clarke.
It was announced that this was the first time in the club’s history that there was need for a second vote.
Well at least I helped make history with my three votes.
Mr. Cooper confided in me that this was his third rejection.
I’m thinking “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
Mr. King was overjoyed, beaming ear to ear like he had won the lottery at the Culver Villas, 4043 Irving Pl.
It was reported in this newspaper that one of the candidate’s supporters participated in “bullet voting.” Similar to what we old schoolers call “stacking the deck.”
Mr. Abrams, a candidate for the City Council in the April 8 election, may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com
