Welcome to my blog! Currently I am a Palos Verdes Library Trustee and former Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor. I am hoping this site can function as an online hub to focus attention on local government issues and the challenges of national guardsmen and reservists face in balancing their civilian lives with military service.
In addition to my elected office experience, I also serve as a Major in the California State Guard with over 20 years of combined service in both the regular army and reserves.
All told, I served 8 years on the Rancho Palos Verdes city council in total, and served twice as vice mayor and once as mayor.
Among my proudest accomplishments during my tenure at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall are significant local fee and tax deductions for the approximately 43,000 residents, transparency of the employee union negotiating process and greater oversight of the city managers office.
As a current elected Palos Verdes Library District trustee, I am now focused on safely re-opening the library district facilities to the public within the state Covid guidelines, reducing usage costs to the public, increasing community outreach to expand the number of residents using the library and continuously upgrading the district’s technology to expand the internet streaming delivery of movies, books and research capabilities.
In launching this site, I also seek to give back to the community by providing more transparency to readers about how local government works and also giving advice to citizens considering public service in an elected position.
I also seek to provide valuable links to resources and tips for national guardsmen and reservists who have been bearing increased service loads as the U.S. Military expands the roles of its part-time service men and women.