Candidate Profile: Todd Mentch For Santa Monica City Council

SANTA MONICA, CA — The 2020 election is heating up in Los Angeles County, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Closer to home, Patch has asked candidates for city council races to discuss their campaigns, publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

In Santa Monica, Todd Mentch is running for one of the five open seats on Santa Monica City Council.

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Town/City of Residence

Santa Monica

Office Sought

Municipal office

Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.

Santa Monica City Council

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

Independent

Family

NA

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

College

Occupation

Businessperson - 30 years

Campaign website

StopBeingShocked.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Budget. I will work to increase revenue and save/bring back jobs

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

New Ideas. Listening to the people.Every person I speak with requests slower growth, and the current council voted to approve a massive new construction project at 5th and AZ. Who are they listening to?

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Every person I speak with requests slower growth, and the current council voted to approve a massive new construction project at 5th and AZ. Who are they listening to?

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Broker deal with Fed Gov to use part of VA land for future construction of homeless housing. Continue to improve SMPD policing protocols; they've done well, we can do better. Work with employee unions on the massive budget shortfalls created by current pension agreements. Increase revenue stream opportunities created by the global appeal of our city.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

It's my varied background that is my edge. Early 1990s work on a Riverside County Congressional campaign. Sales and marketing success with a variety of companies in the consumer staples space, all the way to cutting edge technology. All the way up to my latest ventures in the application startup arena; specifically the blockchain technology sector.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Creating a new Santa Monica Community Outreach platform tool

Why should voters trust you?

I want to record every second of city council related activity. Why should the council be allowed to have "closed door" sessions? What is being discussed that the voters cannot be allowed to hear? With every second of activity uploaded to the internet, the voters can Trust AND Verify!

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

SMCC has done well over the years in providing services with revenue taken. But now we are in crisis mode. We must be fiscally conservative with spending, while strategically increasing revenue sources.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

None

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Don't ever give advice.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?