Jeff Ginsburg, Candidate for Redondo Beach District 1

Jeff Ginsburg, a 6-year resident of Redondo Beach who has worked in the city for 10 years, is running against three other candidates to represent Redondo Beach City Council District 1. A member of the Riviera Village Business Improvement District, Ginsburg is the current chairman of the Redondo Beach Public Works Commission.

Below are Ginsburg's responses to a questionnaire compiled by Patch editors with suggestions from readers.

Redondo Beach Patch: Why are you running to represent Redondo Beach's District 1?

Jeff Ginsburg: I have the most municipal experience of all candidates and care about what is happening throughout the city (not just the power plant in District 2). I have been on the Riviera Village Business Improvement District Advisory Board for over 10 years, I have been a Public Works Commissioner for more than 4 years (currently the chairman conducting the meetings), and I completed the 2006 City of Redondo Beach Leadership program. I feel I am the most qualified candidate.

Patch: In your opinion, what is the No. 1 issue facing District 1?

Ginsburg: The Riviera Village is in great need of infrastructure improvements including new sidewalks, electrical upgrades, landscaping and irrigation. In addition the village does best when more customers can visit without adding to the vehicles needing parking. I would like to install more bike corrals and a hotel shuttle drop-off/pick-up location so more customers can visit without the need of a car.

Patch: What is your position on AES’ plans to repower the power plant on Harbor Drive?

Ginsburg: Although I would prefer not to have a power plan,t I also understand and respect the fact the power plant has been there for about 100 years (long before the houses were built) and as a result certain land rights come along with the land owned by AES. I feel we should concentrate on making sure whatever is proposed is built to the most emission-free standards  possible based upon today’s technology. I believe we can be part of a win-win situation for our city and AES if we all work together.

Patch: What is your position on Measure A, the ballot initiative that would rezone the Harbor Drive property in hopes of preventing the construction of a new power plant?

Ginsburg: Measure A does not have the authority to prevent the construction of a power plant. It will ultimately be a decision made by the state of California. Additionally, although the Measure A authors had good intentions, I feel Measure A will do more harm than good if it passes. I find it hard to believe this multi-billion dollar corporation (AES) will accept defeat with Measure A, hand over their land to developers/park enthusiasts and walk away; instead, AES will likely sue our city for violation of their land rights, drag everything through the court system for years with the end result of them winning, still building their power plant but our city then burdened with a huge legal bill (including their legal costs because the loser generally pays).

Patch: If elected, what are your top three priorities?

Ginsburg: Public safety is a priority of mine as our community needs to feel comfortable where we live, work and socialize.

I will continue improving our Riviera Village to ensure the village will remain our “Mayberry” in conjunction with bringing the decision makers together, building a consensus and getting things done.

I will develop environmentally conscious policies in the city to increase energy efficiencies without sacrificing services which will allocate more of our budget available to support our seniors, youth and business community.

Patch: Share one specific example of demonstrating your leadership and execution skills.

Ginsburg: After I observed an LED street light pilot program, I saw an opportunity for our city to save many thousands of dollars by replacing  the old street lights with new energy efficient LED street light fixtures. I made a point at our Public Works Commission meeting to emphasize the importance for the city to recognize the true potential of this change from “business as usual.” I encouraged our city staff to get the maximum grant dollars towards the project and replace as many street lights as we could since the new LED lights save about 80 percent of the electricity conventional street lights use. In addition, I learned that the new LED street lights have a useful life of over 10 years versus 1-1/2 to 2 years traditional street lights last. Although the city was not able to give me an exact savings amount,  at bare minimum over the course of 10 years the savings to the city will be quite large especially when you consider the thousands of street lights we have in the city. I applaud our Public Works Department for doing such a great job of replacing the street lights as quickly as they did!

Patch: Why should people vote for you?

Ginsburg: I am the candidate who will build a consensus in the community, bring people together in a positive manner and get things done.

Patch: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Ginsburg: I am available for  anyone who might have more questions and/or concerns by email at jeff@jeffginsburg.org or by phone at 310-462-3221. I look forward to being involved with all of the great opportunities our city will see over the next several years and hope I can count on your vote Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Related:

• Jeff Ginsburg for Redondo Beach City Council District 1
• Jeff Ginsburg for City Council 2013 on Facebook
• Jeff Ginsburg [Patch]
• 4 Candidates Vying for District 1 Seat on Redondo Beach City Council [Easy Reader]
• Redondo Council District 1 Candidates Answer Questions From The Beach Reporter [Beach Reporter]

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