State should do business like the city of

State should
do business
like the city of
By Lori Porter
Acorn Staff Writer

While many California counties and municipalities are experiencing the harsh consequences of California’s $38 billion deficit, the city of Westlake Village remains strong and seemingly unthreatened, according to Mayor Chris Mann.

During a State of the City address and luncheon at the Hyatt in Westlake last week, Mann gave a speech and video presentation titled "2003: A Study in Contrast between the City of Westlake Village and the State of California," calling the governing methods of Westlake Village the opposite of Sacramento.

Mann’s presentation used four categories for making comparisons: fiscal, management, operations and services.

Citing California’s deficit, Mann proudly revealed the $10 million in reserve for the city’s general fund and told attendees that Westlake Village has a balanced budget because its operates on a two-year budget cycle with a 10-year forecast. "But few other cities have the finances we enjoy here in Westlake," Mann said.

He described California’s operational process as broken because, he said, California lacks leadership. "We review goals annually in January and of the 26 goals we set this year, all of them are complete or near completion." Mann credited the city’s sub-committees in public safety, land use, and culture and recreation. Citizen involvement, he said, helps ensure that the city remains well managed.

Mann praised services and programs offered by the city (in communication, caring for the elderly, volunteers in policing and disaster relief training).

In addition, the video presentation included pictures of major improvements made in Westlake Village. Many roadways were recently striped and sealed, and with the completion of the Lindero Canyon Road sidewalk project, the city has made bicycling and walking safer for residents, according to Mann.

Looking back over the year, Mann named a couple firsts for Westlake Village such as the city council’s lobbying trip to Sacramento and the city’s recent celebration day.

Mann praised each of the city’s staff members and council members. He paid special attention to Betty De Santis, who’ll be leaving the council at the end of the year. "Betty is the mother of this city," Mann said, "I have never met anyone, in all of my 27 years more caring and giving." He called De Santis "a community treasure."

With Mann also leaving office, he called Mayor Pro Tem Bob Slavin his best friend. Slavin will make a fine mayor, he said.

Mann concluded his speech and presentation. "We can all hope that California will turn around and live up to its name, the Golden State. But until then, we could be proud of our city which remains strong."