Mayor Mehaul O’Leary, City Councilman Andy Weissman, former Councilman Scott Malsin and first-time challenger Jim B. Clarke were endorsed yesterday by the Chamber of Commerce for the four contested Council seats in the April 10 election./
The entire field, including Meghan Sahli-Wells and Stephen Murray, were interviewed at the breakfast hour, for up to 20 minutes apiece, by the Chamber Board, led by Chairman Goran Eriksson.
Mr. Eriksson sought to be clear about what distinguished the foursome from the others – seasoning.
“The four endorsed candidates showed the best understanding of the city’s financial situation and the real issues we are facing,” he said.
“They spoke knowledgeably of the future of Culver City in view of (yesterday’s) closure of the Redevelopment Agency.
“This is not the time to learn on the job.”
Here was the Board’s reasoning about the four endorsees:
• Mayor O’Leary has shown his leadership in assisting neighborhoods and small businesses in working out issues instead of letting them drag on for months. One of the major assets he brings to the City Council is his knowledge of the hospitality business, one of the largest revenue areas in the city’s budget. We know tourism will be one of the primary business segments that will lead the nation and our city out of this longlasting downturn.
• Mr. Weissman was endorsed because of his complete knowledge of the community, his demonstrated leadership the past four years as a Council member and community member, being involved in the Culver-Palms Y and the Culver City Rotary Club. He was the leader on the Council in working on the Baldwin Hills oil drilling issues along with his straightforward approach to municipal issues.
• Mr. Clarke, a longtime resident of Culver City with a vast experience in the legislative process by currently serving Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa on federal matters and previously with retired U.S. Rep. Diane Watson (D-Culver City) Congress member Diane Watson as her Chief of Staff. He brings unique qualities at a time of great financial challenges for the city.
• Mr. Malsin, a former member of the City Council, offers his knowledge of the city budget and finances as well as his specific understanding small business and local residential issues. During his time on the City Council, he worked with fellow members on the success of Westfield Culver City and bringing the Expo light rail to our city this spring.
The interviews will be available on the Chamber’s website www.culvercitychamber.com on Monday.
The Chamber of Commerce is the only citywide endorsing organization interviewing all Council candidates, and has done so for the last seven Council elections. The Chamber also is the only citywide group that has supported the last number of school- funding elections because, as Harry Culver, founder of our city, said: “Culver City needs to have a balance between residences and business to have a viable community.”
Mr. Rose may be contacted at ssssteve@culvercitychamber.com
