Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Writes Letter To Voters

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Letter to the Editor

Our next Manhattan Beach City Council will be facing more challenges than any time in our city’s history.

Therefore, now is the time to elect leaders who have a broad range of knowledge, and experience, and a proven record of consistently advocating in support of our residents and local businesses… and once you compare the record of all the candidates, I believe I will have proven myself to be worthy of your vote.

As a former Manhattan Beach Mayor and Council Member, I fulfilled a promise to conduct city business in an honest and forthright manner, beholden only to you and I will continue to do so.

Having served as a Los Angeles City Attorney for years, I have the knowledge, experience and expertise in city government operations necessary to help move our community forward from day one.

In my first term on Council, I demonstrated strong leadership and sensible common-sense judgment:

• Sponsored the ban on short term rentals
• Put forth the resolution opposing the building of the “billion-dollar boondoggle” desalination plant
• Developed and sponsored MBPD’s very successful ALPR
• Security Camera Program
• Approved the hiring of more police officers for the first time in decades

As Manhattan Beach residents, we should expect the highest level of leadership on Council. Unfortunately, in the past few years, such leadership has been lacking.

Public Safety is No Longer Council’s Top Priority

• Council actually cut funding from the MBPD patrol budget in the most recently adopted budget
• The goal of making Manhattan Beach the safest Beach City in California was removed from our City’s Mission Statement

Fiscal Responsibility is No Longer Exercised by Council

• Our unfunded pension liability (i.e. debt) has doubled from$42.7 million to a staggering $91 million
• We now have the largest city staff in history with 309 employees
• Council approved the largest pay raises in recent history for most city employees
• Expensive outside consulting contracts have increased a total of 20% in the last two fiscal years

Transparency is No Longer the Accepted Norm

• In August, 2018, Council voted to request a feasibility study regarding the takeover of our Fire Department by the LA County Fire Department
• In reviewing the appropriate documents, it appears this vote was taken in a secret, behind closed door meeting as opposed to a public forum
• Given the sensitivity of this issue, Council appears to have knowingly and willfully betrayed the public trust, if not, violated the law

We deserve better and I am proud to be supported by a broad-based coalition of respected community leaders and organizations such as the Manhattan Beach Firefighters Association, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, South Bay Association of Realtors, BizFed and countless residents like you.

If you want a Council member who knows that Council’s top priority is keeping our families and neighbors safe, whose moral judgement is consistent with the values of our community and understands the true meaning of “public” service, then please vote for experienced leadership that will work for you …and urge your family, friends and neighbors to do the same!

I am #1 on the ballot and I humbly ask for one of your three votes.

Sincerely,
Mark Burton