Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Race

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, citizens of Rancho Palos Verdes will have the chance to put two new people on the RPV City Council. The five candidates have all expressed a need for more citizen involvement in RPV City Council decisions.

Noting that the RPV mayor often ridicules ordinary citizens by referring to them as “gadflies,” the candidates are calling for more courtesy to be extended to people who attempt to exercise their right to have “freedom of speech” at the City Council meetings.

One of the candidates, Barbara Ferraro, is well-known in the RPV community for her integrity and honesty in dealing with citizens’ concerns. Mrs. Ferraro was the first of the candidates to raise the issue of openness and courtesy to citizens at City Council meetings. If elected, Mrs. Ferraro will listen courteously to all RPV citizens, and will make her decisions based on what is the best thing for the whole RPV community--not what is best for special interests.

I like Barbara Ferraro’s platform, which highlights the following points: (1) Repair of the roads in RPV; (2) Preservation of open space and parks; 3) Reinstatement of the Long Range Finance committee; (4) Promotion of Neighborhood Watch in all RPV neighborhoods; (5) A budget document that can be easily read--one that is accessible to all citizens; and (6) Strict adherence to the 1.5 geologic soil safety standard in high-risk development areas.

I believe that a vote for Barbara Ferraro on Nov. 2 will help guarantee a better Rancho Palos Verdes for the next four years.

JOE BURTON

Rancho Palos Verdes