This past Saturday, the Culver City Democratic Club’s shared via Twitter their endorsement questionnaire for city council candidates running this fall.  Below, we share some line-by-line thoughts and analyses. Several candidates’ responses were also given, and we did our best not to read ANY so our attempts here at what responses the Club was hoping for were strictly a best guess. The tongue-in-cheek nature of our analysis should NOT be taken as disagreement with any question. Far from it! Enjoy.

Short Essay Questions (200-word max)

How long have you been a registered Democrat? What Democratic Party organizations are you a member of? Have you held a position in the Party? (Westside Voice: Basically asking if the candidate is for real vs. a recent conversion e.g. Rick Caruso)

Please briefly list the highlights of your education and work history. (Westside Voice: We really hope you didn’t attend Liberty University or work for a military contractor, oil company, or gun manufacturer)

What community organizations have you worked with? For how long and in what capacity? (Westside Voice: If there is a “Culver City Forced Birth” organization and you’re a volunteer, we’ll gladly take a pass)

Please name three books on history or policy which have shaped your platform. (Westside Voice: We’re looking for progressive titles and not any of Bill O’Reilly’s “The Killing of _____” books).

If elected, what are your top 3 priorities and how would you go about achieving them? (Westside Voice: If housing and mobility aren’t listed, we’ll gladly take a pass)

Which General Plan Update speaker events did you attend or watch online? (Westside Voice: Are you paying attention to development and housing?)

Define “equity.” (Westside Voice: You better have a handle on, and belief in, diversity, equity, and inclusion)

Yes/No Questions

Will you seek or accept campaign contributions from the following? (Westside Voice: Your answer to these should be “No”)

Fossil fuel entities (including investor-owned utilities)

Law enforcement entities (i.e. agencies, other associations)

Any corporations and their PACs

Real estate developers and landlord interests (ex: California Apartment Association, the California Association of Realtors, and real estate investment groups such as Blackstone)

Will you seek or accept the endorsement from any of the following? (Westside Voice: Your answer to these should be “No.”)

Fossil fuel entities (including investor-owned utilities)

Law enforcement entities (i.e. agencies, other associations)

Any corporations and their PACs

Real estate developers and landlord interests (ex: California Apartment Association, the California Association of Realtors, and real estate investment groups such as Blackstone)

Fossil fuel entities (including investor-owned utilities)

Law enforcement entities (i.e. agencies, other associations)

Any corporations and their PACs

Real estate developers and landlord interests (ex: California Apartment Association, the California Association of Realtors, and real estate investment groups such as Blackstone)

Responses Requiring 200 characters or Less

Please list significant endorsements you have received in this campaign so far.* (Westside Voice: We’re really hoping for Karen Bass, Holly Mitchell, Sydney Kamlager, and Isaac Bryan, and – if an incumbent – affirmation from your council colleagues, past colleagues, and popular school board members)

How much money have you raised for your campaign? (Westside Voice: Are you viable in a way that doesn’t solely rely on Democratic Club endorsement mailers?)

Who are your top three donors? (Westside Voice: Rick Caruso and Ron Ostrin better not be among them)

How many unique donors do you have? (Westside Voice: Do you have broad support?)

What is the average donation amount? (Westside Voice: This number better not be too high)

Simply indicate your Yes/No position on the following questions

Do you believe Culver City was founded on racist premises?

Do you believe that history continues to shape the city?

Do you believe it is helpful to discuss the less admirable aspects of our shared past?

Do you believe those adversely affected by that history are owed reparations?

Do you support the Black Lives Matter movement?

(Westside Voice: The answer to the five questions above should be “Yes.”)

 

Do you support encampment sweeps?

Should CC have a version of LA’s 41:18 law? (WV: encampments are illegal)

(Westside Voice: The answer to the two questions above should be “No.”)

 

Do you support the safe parking program?

Do you believe harm reduction programs prevent addicts from “hitting bottom,” from reaching a crisis that inspires them to seek help?

Do you support split-roll legislation?

Do you support a tenant right to counsel?

Do you support the City’s current rent control and renter protection laws?

Do you support a public rental registry?

Will you commit to maintaining funding for the Housing Department’s renter protection programs?

Do you support ending exclusionary zoning?

Should the City develop mixed-income social housing?

Do you support reducing the minimum lot size for development?

Should denser housing be concentrated on major thoroughfares?

(Westside Voice: The answer to the group of questions above should be “Yes.”)

 

Should the City limit the rights given property owners by SB9 andSB10?

Do you support a State ballot measure that would restore all zoning authority to municipalities?

(WV: The Answer to the two questions above should be “No.”)

 

Do you support penalizing landlords who refuse Section 8 tenants?

Should gas be optional in new construction?

Do you support incentives for owners to replace gas appliances and remove gas from their buildings entirely?

Do you support a net zero or carbon-negative building standard that would exceed what the state requires (a.k.a. reach codes)?

Do you support closing the Playa Vista gas facility?

Do you support continuing the process of closing the Inglewood Oil Field?

(WV: The answer to the questions above should be “Yes.”)

 

Do you support desalination? (WV: “No.)

 

Do you support reallocating funds from law enforcement toward social services?

Do you support the creation of a police oversight commission?

(WV: The answer to the two questions above should be “Yes.”)

Do you consider CCPD’s draft AB481 policy adequate? (WV: This law restricts law enforcement’s purchase and use of military equipment. We are unsure of the adequacy of Culver City’s particular local policy)

 

Do you support Culver City continuing to develop a SWAT team?

Do you believe police departments have demonstrated the ability and desire to fairly and effectively regulate themselves?

Should responses to mental health crises always include police?

(WV: The Answer to the three questions above should be “No.”)

 

Do you support a democracy voucher program for Culver City?

Do you support ranked-choice voting?

Do you support approval voting?

Do you support the Vote16 movement?

Do you support complete streets?

Do you support adding more protected bike lanes?

Do you support more dedicated bus lanes?

Do you support eliminating parking minimums?

Do you support implementing parking maximums?

Should public transit be free?

Do you support using cannabis tax revenues to fund reparations?

Do you support prioritizing victims of the drug war in awarding retail cannabis licenses?

Do you support safe injection sites for drug users?

Do you support the development of the crisis response team?

Do you support a vaccine mandate for all City staff?

(WV: The answer to the block of questions above should be “Yes.”)

 

Should the Plunge prioritize residents?

Do you support the ban on adult soccer in the parks?

Should dogs be allowed in the parks?

(WV: We don’t know enough about the three questions above, but would love to know from a Culver City reader if these questions are asking for a “Yes” response?)

Are the City’s social services adequate? (WV: No)

 

Do you support the initiative to bring CC’s business taxes and fees in line with other Westside cities?

Should CC’s minimum wage reflect the cost of living in CC?

Do you support funding the completion of the General Plan Update?

(WV: The answers to the three questions above should be “Yes.”)

Other Short Answers (200 words or Less)

What specific policies do you support to address housing supply, stability, and affordability in Culver City? (WV: You better support inclusionary zoning, possibly SB 9, abundant housing, renter subsidies, and concepts like social housing to set a bar for affordability)

What forms of housing subsidy do you support in Culver City? (WV: You better support housing subsidies, and should probably go with “all of the above.” They also are likely to want to see support for subsidies that go specifically to affordable housing developers)

What are your plans for criminal justice and public safety in Culver City? (WV: You better support criminal justice reform and at LEAST believe in reimagining policing)

What can the City do to reduce gun violence? (WV: You better believe in municipalities being empowered to implement their own strict gun control measures, including booting any gun shops and banning the sale of ammunition)

How can the City reduce cut-through traffic in residential areas? (WV: You better support more public transit, cycling, scooters (?), e-bikes, and other things that keep cars off the road in general)

How can the City reduce rush hour congestion? (WV: I’m guessing they’re hoping for stated support for remote work/work from home, but perhaps also innovations like dedicating certain streets to one-way heading east at certain hours?)

How do you propose to increase participation in local government events? (WV: Without knowing more, we’re guessing they’re looking for things like less citizen opt-in polling (which Santa Monica sadly has) and more random sample polling. Perhaps more democratic/by the people votes on issues at non-binding public forums. And, having just watched their budget process, probably increase the number of public budget workshops where people can “design their own budget” as an exercise?)

How do you propose to improve the quality of civic discourse? (WV: When they find out, can they let us know? One thing I would suggest for CC is allowing fewer call-ins. Require detractors to come to meetings in person and say things to their face… but that might make us sound very virus-insensitive)

What role does social media play in your life? In your Campaign? (WV: Have your children taught you enough to be an effective advocate for city programs and for yourself?)

How will your personal and official use of social media change if you are elected? (WV: Are you going to tone down your dialogue to be more discerning and professional? Will you be sure and increase your messaging on social media as an elected Democrat we’re supporting for council so as to build your profile?)

Please comment on the rise in abuse and harassment of public figures, particularly those who are women, POC, and LGBTQ+ (WV: You better be aware that it’s happening. Blame this increased violence on the environment Trump unleashed and attempted to normalize)

What is your approach to constituent service? (WV: Be accessible, dedicate hours per week outside of already scheduled meetings, and be willing to go into a lion’s den or two)

Are there any issues not mentioned that you would like to address? (WV: A candidate’s chance to distinguish themselves from other candidates with a great new idea or two, or a negative in the city you also think needs addressing but isn’t getting the attention it deserves)