Nili is a Leader with the Right Kind of Experience for Beverly Hills!
“Working together as a community and using creative, yet common sense approaches we will accomplish our goals.”
Major Development and New Development
We need to insure that future development projects will be approved with the needs of the community first and foremost. I want to bring the community together, end the bitterness and work towards positive solutions that will address our neighborhood concerns. I am committed to working closely with our residents and want to take a lead role in mitigating the consequences of construction. I will represent you on a daily basis, communicating and dealing with any issues that impact the community, schools and surrounding businesses. We need to carefully consider any new projects and weigh the economic benefits versus the impact on the community. Major projects should only be approved if they are a good fit with the community and enhance, not erode, Beverly Hill’s unique imprint.
Safety & Security
We are known worldwide for the high standards and quality services we receive from our first responders – let’s keep it that way. Advanced technologies for citywide safety and security are a top priority. In times of economic downturn, crime goes up and we need to keep in close communication with our police and fire chiefs in case any added safety measures are needed. We should not make any cuts in this area and we should promote from within to ensure the best and finest are keeping crime away. I want to increase our citizen education programs in partnership with our fire and police departments, revitalize our neighborhood watch program and establish open lines of communication via my website and other city websites where the community can interact.
Economic Development
Our golden triangle is at the top of our revenue pyramid and it makes sense to expand marketing of our global, luxury brand. We should also put our revitalization and marketing efforts into SoBev and the other gems in our community that are under-promoted and have been neglected. Tourists need to be better informed about all the city has to offer. We need to expand and encourage resident support of our own businesses and merchants. I will work hard to protect our local economy and on business retention--we cannot afford to have additional businesses leave our city.
Other cities, such as Culver City and Santa Barbara, have sucessfully revitalized their commercial districts while maintaining their identities. We should be doing the same. I'd like to see us draw inspiration from our rich history (the Warner Theatre which was demolished, the Gershwin Home which is no longer here, our first "mayor" Will Rogers and other notable Beverly Hills citizens). We could incorporate architectural elements from our Golden Era and recognize local landmarks and personalities throughout our commercial districts. It would be a way to revitalize the community and keep our character.
Schools
With a daughter currently in first grade at Beverly Vista, no other candidate has a greater stake in our public education than I. As a member of the PTA and my interest in the vital issues before the school board, you better believe I will support continued JPA funding for our schools! Although the city council has no jurisdiction over the school board, as a community we should be interacting and supporting each other for the good for our residents, teachers and most importantly, our kids. You have my pledge that I will stay involved and work to solve any problems.
City’s General Fund
Beverly Hills has a reserve that operates at 30%, which is 15% higher than surrounding cities. However, with the trickling down effect of the economy we need fiscal responsibility and leadership with proven finance experience and skills. As a former loan officer at JPMorgan Chase, I am the only candidate with this background and will keep a vigilant eye on our local treasury. It makes sense to tighten the purse strings and eliminate inconsequential expenditures. This also means having the courage to speak up when proposals are brought forth for buildings and projects residents do not want, do not see as a priority, when they are redundant and unnecessary and show no proven benefit to the community. I will have the political courage to vote no on behalf of the citizens.
Traffic
Once and for all we must take action to implement solutions that will alleviate the traffic and parking crisis. Our neighborhoods should not be used as commuter shortcuts. It is intrusive and unsafe. My vision for our streetscape is one that enables local support of our retail, restaurants and businesses by modeling after cities like Copenhagen and London who have spent years slowly implementing and changing their streetscape, reducing automobile usage and reducing our carbon footprint. I am passionate about preserving the charm of our village and remember the quality of life we had in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Together as a community we can explore ways that will address parking problems for residents and visitors, create less traffic jams, encourage more walking, which in turn will add to our quality of life.
