Meet the Candidates for Santa Monica City Council: Terence Later

October 22, 2012 -- This is the last in a series of posts that provides the answers to questions by candidates in the November 6 race for Santa Monica City Council. The answers from the candidates will be posted in the order they were received.

Name: Terence Later
Profession: Entertainment Consultant
Birth place: Santa Monica
Running for: City Council
Status: Community Activist

1. How long have you lived in Santa Monica? In what neighborhood do you live?

Lifelong resident. Currently renting in the Pico neighborhood

2. Describe yourself in 10 words or less.

Energetic lifelong resident, protector of SM’s culture and heritage.

3. What was your first job?

Mowing lawns at 10th and Pearl.

4. Describe your history of community involvement, if any, in 75 words or less.

As a protector of our historical heritage and culture, I have worked in many grass roots and community level organizations and helped defeat Prop W in 2006. Fought along side Bobby Shriver, Ted Winterer and Kevin McKwone in of support Prop T. I spearheaded the effort to “landmark” Chez Jay which I am proud to say was landmarked on October 7, 2012.

My next effort is to save the Santa Monica Civic.

LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO 50 WORDS OR LESS:

5. How would you rate the current City Council? On a scale of 1-7, (7 being the best), I would rate it a 3 for the 3 functional members aboard.

What particular decisions stand out for you that made you form that opinion?

The ban of the 57 year history of the Holiday Displays in Palasades Park, my disagreement with the current parking policies, the pepper spraying of SM College students.

6. What is the most frequent complaint you hear on the campaign trail? What do you plan to do about it?

The mismanagement of the City’s budget. I support Bobby Shriver’s plan for the city.

7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

There are already enough jobs in Santa Monica, so the city doesn't need more commercial development.

Agree.

8. Should Santa Monica residents be allowed to vote on major development agreements? Why or why not?

Yes, in all aspects. There should be community control of spending procedures.

9. Do you believe developers have undue influence on City government?

Yes.

10. How would you solve the traffic problem in Santa Monica?

Stop rampant development.

11. If Santa Monica has the authority to shut down the airport, should it do so?

No. We need the airport for emergency purposes.

12. With which statement do you agree more:

1. Tourism is an important part of Santa Monica's image and a major revenue source and should be encouraged.

2. There are too many tourists in Santa Monica and businesses are catering to tourists at the expense of locals.

I’m here to represent the 89,000 residents of SM. They are my priority.

13. True or False: Santa Monica has become Beverly Hills by the Sea.

True

14. With which statements do you agree. You can pick more than one.

Affordable Housing:

1. Creates blight and brings crime.

2. Pays back hotel and restaurant union workers for their political support in the past

3. Creates more tenants to vote for Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMMR) candidates. Agreed.

4. Addresses a legitimate need, especially in Santa Monica

15. In the past ten years, the number of laws passed by the Santa Monica City Council has increased from 32 in 2002 to 48 last year. This is:

1. A reasonable response to the concerns of residents.

2. A council that tries to please everyone

3. A council that believes it knows what's best for the city and likes to impose its will. Agreed.

16. Santa Monica's contribution to employee pensions has risen from $10 million a year a decade ago to $40 million and growing today. To help pay for its growing contribution Santa Monica should:

1. Lay off workers

2. Generate more cash by increasing development

3. Increase local taxes.

4. Other (My choice is other)

17. Do you support Measure ES, a $385 million bond to build and improve Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District facilities?

Yes.

18. Has Santa Monica successfully addressed the homeless problem?

It is a continuing problem with evolving solutions. I agree with Bobby Shriver’s approach.

19. Do you believe Santa Monica is a segregated city?

No.

20. Do community groups play an important role in Santa Monica?

Yes.

21. Which of the following statements do you agree with.

Santa Monica is:

1. Doing enough to encourage biking

2. Not doing enough to encourage biking. I believe we can do more to encourage biking.

3. Doing too much to encourage biking
   

22. Do you support a law banning smoking in apartment and condo units?

No one's health should be endangered by 2nd hand smoke. It is sad that we are being forced to litigate where common sense and courtesy should prevail.

23. What is your favorite place in Santa Monica? Gilbert’s and Chez Jay’s Restaurant.

Least favorite place? Parking meters.

24. What is the last piece of music you bought?

Bob Dylan’s Tempest.

25. If you were emperor with absolute authority for a day and could do one thing for Santa Monica, what would it be?

Remove all parking meters and make parking structures free again. Lift the Ban on Holiday displays.