The Men Who Would Be Planning Commissioner, City Begins Interviews Today

John Paddock, holding child, is one of 17 candidates vying for two Planning Commissioner positions.

A talented group of 17 individuals, representing a cross-section of expertise and interests, has applied for two appointed positions on the La Verne Planning Commission. Interviews begin today at City Hall in La Verne.
Professions represented are wide-ranging, from a fire chief and Army specialist to an electrical contractor and retired volunteer.

The candidates are John Alcantara, James Anderson, Norm Faustini, Jefferson Hill, Tim Hepburn, Mike Capps, Gilbert Ivey and Steven Dukett.

Other applicants include Wallace Emory, John Paddock, Steven Paul, Karl Kurtz, Randall Traw, Paul Pieroth, Phil May, Wayne Moses and Alex Rodriguez.LaVerneOnline invited the applicants to share with us why they want be on the commission and what special skills they believe recommend them for service. Here are the responses in summary that we received.

Note: In reading over the responses, I think everyone in La Verne should be proud of the quality of the candidates and their commitment to volunteerism:

Mike Capps

Capps is a workforce development specialist in the County of San Bernardino’s Department of Workforce Development.  With an MBA in entrepreneurship, he would apply his understanding of the roles of economic development to “help bolster La Verne’s reputation as a charming yet upscale area.” In particular, he would like to see an expanding retail and dining corridor and more façade improvements, such as were made at the Commons in La Verne. As part of a family with La Verne roots going back four generations, Capps appreciates many aspects of the city, but none more than the level of safety the city offers. “In serving as a commissioner, it would be imperative to ensure that the community continues to grow, thrive and evolve, but never at the expense of our community safety and security,” he said.
 
Wally Emory

Emory is a former planning and zoning commissioner in Garden City, Idaho, where he was chairman for five of his six years of service. Returning to Southern California, he didn’t miss a beat. He served as mayor, mayor pro-tem and council member of South Pasadena and was a chairman of its human rights commission, federal fair housing act and handicapped compliance committee. He also served for 17 years as a reserve police commander. In the private sector, he spent many years with a national wholesale paper distributing business. “Community service is a way of life for me,” Emory said. “Our way of life would cease to exist, as we know it without all of the volunteers in La Verne.

Norm Faustini

Norm Faustini

 

 

Faustini believes he would bring strong leadership skills to the commission. He retired as a sub-district level supervisor with Pacific Bell and from the Navy Seabees as a Commander Master Chief. His retirement has been extremely active. For the last 16 years, Faustini has been a volunteer with the La Verne Police Department, and is a coordinator with the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. Since moving to La Verne in 1981, he has served on numerous committees as well, including the Housing Element, Measure S and National Night Out Against Crime Committees. He also helped raise money for the Youth and Family Action Committee and Military Banner Program. “My vision is not only planning for what the city looks like now, but what is in store in five, 10 or more years from now,” he said.

Tim Hepburn

The past Bonita Boosters president has been in the electrical construction industry for 34 years, which has afforded him the opportunity to own and renovate various properties in La Verne. “I like to keep my properties in the best of shape to improve the values of our community,” he said. “I travel quite a lot and I have seen many communities that do not have the pride that we do in La Verne.” As a planning commissioner, Hepburn said he would to provide more alternative active retirement housing and business development, with more upscale restaurants and shops in the Old Town area.

Karl Kurtz

Karl Kurtz

Kurtz is a specialist in the California National Guard and commander of VFW Post 12034 based in La Verne. As an Eagle Scout and military professional for two decades, Kurtz believes he brings a strong sense of mission to every task and assignment he undertakes. The mission he sees ahead lies in improving economic opportunities for residents and businesses and finding tenants for unoccupied buildings while preserving La Verne’s small town atmosphere. “I know that I would be an asset to the Planning Commission because I will work hard and get the job done,” Kurtz said.

Phil May
May has nearly 30 years of experience working as a landscape architect and contractor for both residential and commercial projects. “I can thoroughly read and decipher development plans and documents for both simple and complex projects that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission,” May said. “My insights would be used to help maintain the high level of livability in this city.”  As a commissioner, he would also promote a leafier city. “I think that a review of tree planting and design would help improve some neighborhood areas, he said. Streets which have beautiful street tree plantings have a much better appearance that those with missing or damaged trees.”

John Paddock
Paddock has been the longtime owner of La Verne Construction based in downtown La Verne. “I feel that I bring a needed skill set to the commission that doesn’t exist today. Since I am both a resident and a business owner in town, I’ve had experiences on both sides of planning department issues. I know what the residents are looking for and what the Planning Commission must take into consideration when making the decisions that impact the project. Having lived in the city since 1983, Paddock appreciates the city’s low-crime rate, the quality of La Verne’s schools and the city’s Christmas and 4th of July traditions. As a commissioner, he said he will work to revitalize the downtown village. “Decisions made by the Planning Commission will help attract the quality businesses we need to bring to La Verne.

Alex Rodriguez
As fire chief for the City of Santa Fe Springs, Rodriguez has a strong history of working with planning commissions. “My learning curve will be very minimal because of my background,” said the 17-year resident of La Verne. Rodriguez said he enjoys living in La Verne because it maintains a small-town atmosphere with big city amenities. Notwithstanding, he would like to see a couple more sit-down eateries and limit the amount of fast-food outlets in the city. “I would work with my fellow commissioners to make recommendations to the City Council on how this type of development,” he added.

Randall Traw

Randall Traw

 

Realtor Randall Traw is sensitive to housing needs and issues, in particular, and especially how communities are dealing with the increasing number of abandoned properties and closed businesses stemming from the lingering recession. He believes La Verne is at the doorstep of a new era, with the completion of the 210 freeway and the build-out of the Gold Line, anticipated to reach La Verne in 2017. “The forward thinking we have seen in the past has provided remarkable results, but we cannot stop there,” Traw said.