Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) City Council Candidate Evaluation

Written By PVP Watch

RPV City COuncil Candidates

PVP Watch invited all 5 candidates running for the Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) City Council in this November's election to complete a questionnaire and attend in-person interviews. After careful reviews and analyses, PVP Watch recommends the following two candidates:

  • Dave Chura

  • Steve Perestam

Below is a summary of our opinions based on the candidates' questionnaire and interview responses:

Michele Carbone

Strengths:

  • Has management and financial background.

  • Has strong knowledge of landslide issues which could affect her home.

  • Attends City Council meetings regularly.

Weaknesses:

  • Not familiar with RPV issues except for landslides - not familiar with SB 9 & SB 10, Builder's Remedy, high fire zone rating or homeowner's insurance issues.

Jeffrey Chen

Jeffrey Chen did not respond to PVP Watch's invitation for an interview. He did attend CHOA's candidate debate via ZOOM.

 

Dave Chura

Strengths:

  • Has strong organizational skills and experience.

  • He can make a difference on the City Council.

  • Has strong and novel ideas for finding landslide solutions.

  • Suggested using advanced techniques such as aerial mapping, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Surface Magnetic Resonance (SMR) techniques to locate and measure groundwater.  Random drilling of wells could be inefficient and expensive.

  • Feels that the City Staff runs the City. For example, most staff reports recommend a single solution but do not provide options.

Weaknesses:

  • We did not find any noticeable weaknesses in this candidate.

George Lewis

Strengths: 

  • Strong financial knowledge and management style.

  • Has fought densification mandates from Sacramento. 

Weaknesses: 

  • Limited understanding of the operation of the City Council.

  • Strong proponent for a new RPV City Hall.

  • Landslide is not his #1 priority.

Steve Perestam

Strengths:

  • Research issues thoroughly and diligently.

  • Make decisions only after considering all the facts.

  • Showed sincerity and energy in his discussions.

  • Will stand up for issues, not just follow the City Staff, City Council, or City Attorney.

  • Strong advocate for local control of zoning.

  • If elected, will serve his term on the City Council methodically.

  • Has been a member of various City committees since 1989.

  • Knowledgeable on SB 9, SB 10, Builders Remedy, local control, fire zone, and homeowners insurance issues.

Weaknesses:

  • We did not find any noticeable weaknesses in this candidate.

Other Election Recommendations

We will be publishing additional newsletters with our recommendations for the following contests:

  • Palos Verdes Estates City Council candidates

  • Statewide propositions

  • School District (PVPUSD) candidates

  • School District bond (Measure SOS) more to PVP Watch, 5011 Rockvalley Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.  Thank you.

We would like to hear from you.

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PVP Watch
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