Councilman Vera’s resume includes leadership, vision and experience
As the election gets ever closer, the News will be speaking to the candidates for City Council in Culver City over the coming weeks. There are seven in total, including two incumbents, and the News is aiming to profile them all. First up is an incumbent: former Mayor and current City Council Member Albert Vera.
Having been on the council and served as mayor, what has been the greatest challenge that you’ve faced?
I think our greatest challenge has been taking on the issue of homelessness. This is, of course, not just a Culver City issue, but it breaks my heart so many people are living on the streets in our city and across the country. In fact, six people died on Culver City streets before I became mayor. At that point, we finally took action to clean up the dangerous and unsanitary encampments, create places like our Sleep Safe site, and connected people with the critical services and resources they need to get off the streets. Homelessness is an on-going challenge, but I am proud of what we have accomplished so far.
What do you believe has been your greatest achievement?
Again, the way we have attacked homelessness. Culver City’s approach to homelessness leads with housing, support, and care. And I will continue to support programs like our new Safe Sleep Site that provides temporary shelter and respite to people experiencing homelessness, providing access to basic human necessities with bathrooms, showers, and on-site supportive services. The current City Council implemented a wide range of new programs, including the new Safe Sleep site; Project Homekey, in which the city purchased two motels and created 73 units of interim and permanent housing; and the new four-person Mobile Crisis Team, designed to proactively engage the unhoused and connect them with mental health and other support. I believe we have become a model for how to effectively use our limited resources to provide the most help to those trying to get off the streets.
What, if anything, do you wish you had done differently?
I think the most important thing I have learned is not to make perfect the enemy of the good, so perhaps I would have started my time on the Council worrying less about the perfect solution and moving forward with solutions that moved us forward more efficiently. Today, after four years, I have a much better sense of that.
How do you rate this current council, compared to others that you’ve served with?
Well, it is no secret that we don’t always agree on the issues, but I respect everyone sitting on the dais with me. We may have different ideas on how to get there, but our collective goal is the same – to make our city the best it can be.
Should you win, what will you be focusing on in the following years that hasn’t been achieved yet?
I want to focus on our parks and our Parks Master Plan, ensuring that our parks are accessible to everyone. I would like our city to enhance local parks by improving accessibility with wheelchair-friendly pathways and inclusive playgrounds, engaging the community through forums and volunteer days, and implementing sustainable practices like native landscaping and community gardens. In addition, I want to see us increase safety with better lighting and regular maintenance; promote outdoor events and tailored programs for all age groups; and improve public transit links and biking trails for easier access. Together, we can create vibrant, welcoming spaces that meet the diverse needs of our community and ensure that every Culver City resident can access our parks and open spaces.
These are divided political times for all sorts of reasons – local, national and international. What is your overall message to voters?
I think former Mayor Andy Weissman said it best: “We can disagree without being disagreeable.” I would urge voters to recognize that everyone on the ballot is volunteering for this job, which is often thankless and often makes you a lightning rod for attacks. We should be able to discuss political issues without being nasty. Of course, there are clear distinctions between the candidates, and I would urge voters to look at which candidates align with their views in terms of truly helping the unhoused get off the streets, redesigning the MOVE project in Downtown Culver City, and providing our first responders with the tools they need to keep our community safe. For me, the two candidates who most align with my views are Denice Renteria and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, and I encourage voters to join me in supporting them.
What is the best thing about being on the council?
I think the best part of my role on the Council is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in our community. It’s incredibly rewarding to listen to residents, understand their needs, and collaborate with fellow council members to implement policies that improve our quality of life. I get to engage with a diverse range of perspectives and ideas and ultimately, work together to create a better community. I love Culver City, so it makes me feel good to be able to make a real difference.
The City Council and Presidential election day is November 5. For all of the appropriate information, including how to register, visit lavote.gov. Visit veraforcouncil.com for more information about Vera’s campaign.