[Editor’s Note: Here is the eloquent tribute Karlo Silbiger, a member of the School Board, paid to his father, Gary Silbiger, at Monday night’s City Council meeting when he was term-limited.]
This evening as my father, Gary Silbiger, steps down after eight years of service to this community, I have an opportunity to reflect on how our city has evolved, how it has improved during that time.
Some say that my dad is a controversial figure with little support in the community.
However, you only need to look back eight years to his election campaign to see how impressive his win really was.
In 2002, he was running against an incumbent Council member, a former Council member, the son of a Council member, four current or former commissioners, and three people who had run for Council before.
Even with that steep competition, he won a seat. Four years later, he ran for re-election and won the votes of 3,053 Culver City residents, more than any candidate in the past three election cycles and more than any of his current colleagues or those elected earlier this month.
Those with little support can't make that claim.
Others say that he has been happy to be a minority of one, voting against imperfect ideas rather than having accomplishments.
Those looking at the improvements that our city has made over the past eight years because of his ideas and leadership know the truth.
Seven years ago, during an especially tough year, staff recommended cutting Cultural Affairs from our city. A majority of the Council seemed to be willing to get rid of our concerts, arts show and historical preservation.
But my dad worked with the CAO and Mim Shapiro to develop a plan to move Cultural Affairs to the Community Development Department, transfer some costs to the Redevelopment Agency, and save the programs.
That would not have happened without him.
In 2004, many residents were complaining about the growing homeless population. They asked the city to increase police enforcement and penalties.
My dad knew that with services, we could address the problem humanely. He worked with the business community, including Jay Handal, (Councilperson) Carol Gross and city staff to form the Homelessness Committee, educate the community, bring in the St Joseph's Center to provide services, to approve of Upward Bound, on a very controversial 3-2 vote, to provide temporary housing, and find a real solution.
That would not have happened without him.
When he was elected, it was not popular to be an environmentalist. He pushed for green building design standards. Although this Council passed them unanimously, it was my dad who raised the issue, who worked with staff to develop a plan, and who insisted for many years that it be agendized and passed.
That would not have happened without him.
And finally an issue near to my heart.
When my dad first ran, he said that he would work on the Council to help the schools.
He was criticized vociferously for not understanding the different roles of the two entities.
You see, eight years ago it was not yet popular to support youth and education on the Council. Now, all five of you ran with it as a plank.
Once winning election, my dad served for four years on the Liaison Committee with Albert Vera, Stew Bubar and Marla Wolkowitz. They developed the climate in this community that is finally moving us forward.
None of that would have happened without him.
This evening as we look forward to the coming years, I hope that the new Council will follow his uncompromising ethics when it comes to working for the greater good and focusing on serving the community.
I hope that Culver City residents will remember his important role in the revitalization of Culver City over the past eight years.
And I hope that when I end my tenure on the School Board, I will have served in an equally respectable manner.
Karlo Silbiger may be contacted at ksilbiger@juno.com
