Candidate Profiles -- Daniel Cody

October 4, 2010 -- The Lookout Staff submitted questionnaires to the 23 candidates running for seats on the City Council and Board of Education. The candidates were given the same timeframe to answer the questions and were limited to 150 words per answer.

During the next several days, the Lookout News will publish the candidates’ answers verbatim. The profiles for the four-year City Council race will be published first, followed by the two-year City Council race and lastly the Board of Education race. They will be appear in alphabetical order based on the candidates’ first names.

Name: Daniel Cody
Running for: 4-year City Council seat
Status: Challenger

How long have you lived in Santa Monica? In what neighborhood do you live?
12 years. North of Wilshire (Wilmont)

Why are you running for office and why should residents vote for you? I got energized during the 2008 election. The President’s message of “we are the change we’ve been waiting for” is true. Since then the entire world, including the majority of Santa Monica households, have had to cope with the worst economic reversal in 70 years. The Council, however, has continued to operate as if nothing has changed.According to the current Council, every program is essential and no adjustment to the City’s cost structure is contemplated.

Instead, they have decided to raise the sales tax, impose new fees, and have directed staff to look for new and innovative ways to “raise revenues” instead of new and innovative ways to do more with less. I am running because I want to ensure there is a voice for fiscal efficiency on the Council and it is my belief that a majority of Santa Monica residents do as well.

Why do you enjoy living in Santa Monica?
I love living in Santa Monica! The beach, the Farmer’s Markets, the neighborhoods, parks and libraries, and the engaged residents. I’ve traveled the world and have yet to find a better combination which is why my wife and I are here to stay.

How would you rate the current City Council?
What particular decisions stand out for you that made you form that opinion? Myopic. Placing Measure Y on the ballot was an abdication of leadership. The measure will most likely pass, but only because the Council tied it to school funding. Santa Monicans recognize the need to ensure stable funding for our schools. The Council is hiding behind the schools, a cynical calculation that the voters see through.

What is the most frequent complaint you hear on the campaign trail? What do you plan to do about this issue?
Traffic. The reality is that there are limited levers at the disposal of the City to alter the reality of Santa Monica being a mote in the sea of Southern California. The Expo Line will provide an alternative to driving downtown. Measure R and the 30/10 Plan do not fund completion of the Subway to Santa Monica. If elected I will work with LA City, County, State and Federal governments to accelerate funding and completion. Completing the Subway to Santa Monica should be our first priority.

Should Santa Monica residents be allowed to vote on major development agreements? Why or why not?
No. We have an elected Council to represent our interest. If residents believe the current Council is not representing their will they should not re-elect them.

Where do you stand on Measure Y, the half-cent sales tax proposal, and Measure YY, the companion measure that would recommend 50 percent of the tax revenue go to education?
I am against Measure Y but I am for Measure YY. Measure Y is a regressive tax that will fall most heavily on seniors, those on fixed incomes and small businesses.

The City needs to get its cost structure in line with today’s reality. However if Measure Y passes I support using half of those funds to support our K-12 schools. Our schools’ funding is subject to the vagaries of Sacramento which as of this writing has yet to adopt a budget for this fiscal year. The additional “local” funding will provide a measure of stability for the District.

Solve the traffic problem in Santa Monica in under 150 words.
Subway, Expo Line, Electric Trams, increase the tax on gasoline. I believe that until we provide safe, affordable and timely alternatives to the automobile our traffic problems will only accelerate. Aside from completing the Expo Line and the Subway to Santa Monica I would like to see the tax on gasoline increase and those funds used to accelerate the necessary investment in mass transit infrastructure.

The US’s taxes on gasoline are among the lowest in the developed world. Where in Europe the tax on gasoline ranges from $2.50 to over $3.00 a gallon, here it is only $0.39. By raising the tax on gasoline to just $1.00 we could fund the necessary investment in mass transit both here in Santa Monica and the entire United States.

If you were emperor with absolute authority for a day and could do one thing for Santa Monica, what would it be?
A day at the beach for everyone – our residents, those who work here, visitors and city employees. We need to pause occasionally and celebrate as a community. One day can work wonders on renewing our spirits and outlook.