One should not vote for any candidate who does not support accountability. We need to extinguish any sense of governmental impunity in Culver City. This is a gatekeeper issue.
I asked each City Council candidate for a position statement on promptly implementing an independently managed fraud, waste, and abuse program and associated hotline (FWA Program/Hotline). It is a litmus test, informing us of which City Council candidates are worthy of further consideration. Some accredited themselves nicely. The others cannot pass this most-basic test.
Dr. Khin Khin Gyi—”I support a fraud, waste and abuse hotline that the Council has already accepted on Sept. 9, 2019. It is time to implement it.”
Freddy Puza—”I support a Fraud, Waste and Abuse hotline in Culver City. It makes sense to have an independent third-party to manage and facilitate the hotline. If elected, I’d investigate it to ensure it’s being executed properly.”
Albert Vera Jr.—”I’ve been listening to [Les Greenberg’s] concerns [about a FWA Program/Hotline] for quite some time and quite frankly; I am appalled that the current City Council has been dismissive [of his] suggestions.”
Heather Wollin—”I agree with Les Greenberg’s requests for transparency and answers regarding why Staff has not fully implemented the fraud, waste, and abuse program that the City Council approved on Sept. 9, 2019. The way this has been handled is suspect. The City Council and Staff should be clear and, at a minimum, provide answers as to why this delay has occurred. This program should undoubtedly be handled by a third party to ensure transparency and to guarantee that it is running properly. I see no reason why… this program cannot be implemented immediately.”
Robert Zirgulis—”Of course, I am against fraud and waste, particularly in the City Attorney’s office. …The problem with bureaucracies, exemplified by [our] Staff and City Council, is that they don’t care about the people they are supposed to serve. Their failure to implement the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Program/Hotline that the City Council approved on Sept. 9, 2019 is reprehensible.”
In their heart of hearts, Mayor Goren Eriksson and two City-Council-endorsed candidates—Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Darrel Menthe—do not support government accountability.
For more information, please see www.LGEsquire.com/Culver_City_Is_An_Ethical_Desert.html.
— Les Greenberg, Esquire