Kimberly Fine, Candidate for Redondo Beach District 1

Kimberly Fine, a 12-year resident of Redondo Beach, is running against three other candidates to represent Redondo Beach City Council District 1. An efficiency expert, she has never held public office.

Below are Fine'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?

Kimberly Fine: I'm running for city council to be of service to our community. Fighting for a more equitable structure to the sewer tax increase—unfair to single-family homes and those on fixed incomes—I learned many decisions are based on what is easiest not, what is right or fair. That, coupled with the decrease in public safety officers, seeing a need for new ideas and people at City Hall, I decided to run.

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

Fine: Public safety, the city’s foremost duty to residents, businesses, and schools. Communities that enjoy a reputation for low crime rates provide the ideal environment to retain long-term residents and businesses while attracting new families and merchants.

Right now, we rank among the top 10 cities for alcohol-related injury accidents.

Safe neighborhood and prosperous businesses stabilize communities, facilitate planning for sensible growth, and offer the lifestyle that maintains strong property values.

As your councilwoman, I will work to make sure the budget allotted to public safety is spent on public safety and that staffing is appropriate across the board. I believe it is one place to start for the revitalization of our local businesses, especially along the PCH corridor.

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

Fine: Regulations require AES to phase out the use of seawater for “once-through” cooling by 2020. That calls into question a clear-cut case for repowering their facility in a densely populated area on an environmentally sensitive coastline.

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?

Fine: This is a pivotal time for Redondo Beach. I am not a single-issue candidate. I am not tied to one special interest and have not been groomed to perpetuate the current “reactive” culture at city hall. I will seek proactive solutions.

Elections are about choices. I see both sides of this measure and will fulfill the will of the voters as expressed on Election Day.

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

Fine:

1. Restoring public safety staffing for our Police and Fire Departments
2. Revitalizing the PCH business corridor and supporting all local businesses
3. Partnering with our schools for classroom excellence

Neighborhoods, business districts, and our schools require safe, trouble-free environments to thrive. But public safety staffing in Redondo Beach has fallen below the national average for communities of our population.

Police and fire response times have increased significantly; auto theft and burglary calls are no longer a priority.  We rank in the top 10 California cities for alcohol related injury accidents. Every call for help must be answered in a timely matter, not in the 1 hour and 20 minutes it took to respond to last weeks’ burglary on the Pier.

We cannot attract and sustain vibrant business with headlines that speak of stabbings and beating deaths in major commercial areas. We cannot expect stable families to move into our community if they question the ability of Police and Fire to protect them where they live, shop, or send their children to school.

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

Fine: As a leader, in business I bring at-risk companies over hurdles to avoid bankruptcy and work with everyone from upper management to mainline employees in the process. Listening and acting on information from all parties, is a constant for my success.

Since 2002, I have kept 54 businesses from filing bankruptcy and saved more than 2,000 jobs by implementing organizational development strategies specific to my client's needs and the various industries in which they work.

I have implemented workflow systems for companies of all sizes—from five to 500 employees, as well as restructured organizations to pair employee skills with work activities to save jobs – maximizing performance, while minimizing expenses.

Successfully working with several key employees at the same time—identifying objectives and presenting solutions is often a challenge because of the various personalities that come into play. When dealing with groups of opposing opinions, I find success conducting one-on-one meetings first. Most challenges can be overcome when people believe they have been heard and their point has value.

I blend my business skills, formal education and common sense to reach people and build consensus.

As a community leader, I have worked with volunteer groups of all sizes and find the skills I utilize at work, are skills I utilize when dealing with people, no matter the situation.

Patch: Why should people vote for you?

Fine: I have the drive, skills and time to serve our city, our residents and businesses; I know how to bring opposing sides to common ground and how to work with dwindling budgets.  More importantly, I come able to serve without a self-interest advantage to pursue if elected or an inflexible issue agenda to further.

I chose to run when I found City Hall unresponsive to the legitimate concerns of my neighbors and the local businesses I patronize. I will impartially and fairly evaluate issues after welcoming input from all our community’s stakeholders. People should vote Kimberly Fine for City Council because I will represent everyone and I will work hard for everyone too.

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

Fine: I am the only candidate approaching city council as service to the community; I am not accepting the taxpayer-funded fringe benefits offered to council members.

Unifying Redondo Beach is important for all Districts, to build a stronger economy, we must work together on all issues. For me, representing constituents in District 1 is an honor, not an opportunity to pursue self-interest or rigid ideological schemes.

My name appears on the bottom line of the District 1 City Council ballot. 

Vote Kimberly Fine for the bottom line—for fiscal responsibility, honest answers, fair solutions and leadership that has not been groomed to perpetuate the status quo.

With your vote, I will make a difference for everyone.

Related:

• Kimberly Fine for Redondo Beach City Council District 1
• Kimberly Fine for Redondo Beach City Council District 1 on Facebook
• Kimberly Fine [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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