A Mayor Sam Q & A with CD 15 City Council Candidate Joe Buscaino

CD 15 City Council Candidate Joe Buscaino.

Blogger notes: Mayor Sam was granted a thirty minute interview last Friday with the "fresh political face" of the CD 15 Special Election, LAPD Senior Lead Officer Joe Buscaino. With no prior political experience, Buscaino is clearly banking on his community ties and long record of community and public service in positioning himself for one of the two spots in the January Runoff, that will most likely result from November's vote. For the record, Buscaino's Campaign Consultant is Eric Hogenson of HSG Campaigns who works exclusively with democratic candidates---Scott Johnson.

 What was your paramount reason for deciding to enter the political arena? You have a stable career and income.  Why risk this on a career in politics? Running for City Council is about Community and Public Service. As a 15 years LAPD officer who's job is to deal with quality of life issues on a daily basis, you get to hear the concerns of your constituents and neighbors by being the "boots on the ground" in dealing with their issues. Being a life long CD 15 resident myself, my wife Geralyn, an educator and I, are raising our family in this community and I want to better this council district.

Are you a register Republican or Democrat and how do you explain your crossover appeal to either side of the political landscape? I am a register Democrat who grew up in an union household. That said, I vote for the person and not the party. Many of the people who are supporting me are friends who I have grown up and work with in CD 15. In addition, most respect me for my deep love of community and public service and motivated me to run.

As a LAPD officer, did you find any merit in the allegations made in the Fox 11 report on now Congresswoman Janice Hahn's ties to gangs in Watts? If you were elected councilman, would you call for annual audits on CBO's that receive public money? Do we need a parcel tax to fund more GRYD like programs? The Fox 11 report was an unfortunate situation that should not subtract from the Hahn Family Legacy. If elected. I will say yes to audits as we must have accountability. On the parcel tax for more GRYD like programming, I will make no commitment at this time. ** We should note that during the course of answering these questions, Buscaino pledged that being CD 15 City Councilman is his only political endeavor. Thus, don't plan on him running for any other political office.   

What is the more paramount concern in your opinion, the flow of revenue into the city treasury or the ethical dispensation of constituent services? Issue of revenue. I am a supporter of the "Subway to the Sea" and the "Farmers Field" proposals. Here in San Pedro, we compete with the City of Long Beach so we need to cut and fine tune the permit process for doing business. I am also in favor creating "Business Watch Groups" to help with this.

What is your position on the Pointe Vista Housing Development? I am for keeping the property zoned "R-1". Something needs to be done with that property but we must include the community in the problem solving effort.

Your campaign has embrace the use of new media to get out your message. Is this how you plan on providing constituent information if elected? There are people like single mothers who can't make it to meetings. Thus, new media is important to getting them information.

Do you share the vision of John Papadakis for the San Pedro Waterfront? Yes, we must bring the sea to the city and the city to the sea.

A recent Ninth Circuit Court decision struck down Mayor Villaraigosa's initiative to force independent truckers to become Teamsters as part of his Clean Truck Initiative at the Port of LA What is your opinion on this court decision? I respect the right of workers to choose to join a union. Further, truckers are circumventing the Clean Truck Initiative by switching out rigs outside the port area.

Are you in favor of an Independent DWP Ratepayer Advocate? Yes.

A recent proposal by the City Council's Jobs and Development Committee recommended doing away with the city's "Gross Receipts Tax". Do you agree with the recommendation? Yes.

What is the proper disposition of Public Housing Projects such as Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens and others in CD 15? I am in favor of multi-use developments that provide services needed by its residents.

Do you share Mayor Villaraigosa's vision of privatizing some city departments like the LA Zoo? Any discussion can be put on the table while not touching Police and Fire.

What is the biggest drain on the City General Fund and how would you go about stabilizing revenues to all city departments? Accountability. We need to create a version of LAPD's "Com Stats" for all city departments ta gauge accountability.

** Quick Yes or No Answers:

Would you had supported the recent reorganization of LAFD? No. We lost a Haz Mat unit.

Should the Recreation and Parks Department be a "proprietary department" like DWP, the Port or Airport? No position. 

Support City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's "Administrative Citation Enforcement" (ACE) Program? Yes, only if violators are truly held accountable for their actions.

If elected to serve CD 15 at City Hall, what is your number one priority to change in how the city does business? Accountability and Leadership. We must be open and transparent when doing business.

Your thoughts...............

Scott Johnson in CD 14