By Assemblymember Richard Bloom
If you live in Los Angeles, your mailbox has probably been overflowing with political mail, typically more hype than helpful. That is why I'm writing to share my personal recommendation of Ron Galperin for L.A. City Controller.
Polls are open until 8 o’clock tonight.
The election for Controller doesn't generate as much attention as the election for Mayor. It is no less important, though. We need to get our city's finances and streets fixed. Ron Galperin is the person who can do it.
Ron is an expert on the Los Angeles City budget. He is trustworthy, smart and dedicated, qualities we need for the job of being the taxpayers’ watchdog in City Hall. Ron is committed to giving back to Los Angeles. As the first in his family to be born in the United States, Ron learned the values of hard work and forward thinking from his parents. He has coupled his success in business and law with extensive community service.
Don’t just take my word. Ron has earned the endorsement of all three of L.A.'s major daily newspapers, along with two former L.A. City Controllers and a wide spectrum of civic leaders. Here is a sample what people are saying about Ron:
“[Ron Galperin] has been a longtime critic of wasteful and inefficient city practices. The Times endorsed Galperin before the primary, and he remains the right man for the job.”
– Los Angeles Times
“Galperin seems to have been born for all aspects of the job. [He] is an outsider who has what it takes. L.A. voters should elect him as city controller.”
– L.A. Daily News
“Ron Galperin has exactly the right experience the next controller needs.”
– Laura Chick, L.A. City Controller and state Inspector General (ret.)
“The fact that Ron Galperin is very well qualified for this important job is something on which Democrats, Republicans and Independents can all agree.”
– Richard Riordan, Mayor of L.A. (ret.)
In contrast to Ron's qualifications for the important job of City Controller, his opponent is a termed-out Councilman with no business or financial background. The Daily News said that “(Galperin's opponent) does not demonstrate the needed mastery of detail.”
Ron has headed two city commissions that have made L.A. government more efficient and accountable. He has dedicated himself as a member of United Way's Homeless Task Force, as Chair of the Jewish Federation's Fed Up With Hunger initiative, as a cantor at his synagogue, as an advocate for the LGBT community and on numerous community, civic and charitable organizations.
His hard work and leadership have not gone unnoticed. In addition to the newspapers and former controllers who have voiced support for Ron, he has broad backing elsewhere. Among his endorsements are the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Congressmembers Henry Waxman and Maxine Waters, state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Councilmen Paul Koretz and Bernard Parks, as well as by Republican leaders like former Mayor Riordan and Kevin James.
See www.ronforla.com/endorsements.
You will agree that voting for Ron means transforming Los Angeles into the city we all deserve.
Mr. Bloom, who represents Santa Monica and other neighborhoods on the Westside in the state Assembly, may be contacted at Bloomcampaign@richardbloom.com
