City council candidate outlines ambitious goals

By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com

Jon Wolfson

The city of Calabasas is a great place to live, according to many residents, including Jonathon Wolfson, a candidate for city council. But Wolfson said a great city still needs leadership with strong goals.

Wolfson, a lawyer and Calabasas Planning Commissioner, said his skills have allowed him to successfully collaborate with colleagues to find meaningful solutions to outstanding issues. He hopes to put these negotiating skills to work for the city, and continue to make the city a great place to live.

"As residents of Calabasas for many years, my wife and I cannot think of a better place to raise our four children," Wolfson, 38, said in a statement announcing his candidacy. "Our great city will continue to flourish as long as we deal with the important issues facing our lifestyle and government."

The Calabasas City Council election is March 8. Four newcomers will challenge three incumbents for seats currently belonging to Mayor Michael Harrison, Councilmember Lesley Devine and Councilmember James Bozajian. All three incumbents seek re-election to four-year terms.

Wolfson’s opponents in the city council race are the incumbents, consumer attorney and former councilmember Robert Sibilia, retired physician Vernon Padgett and businesswoman Mary Sue Maurer.

Some of Wolfson’s goals, if elected, are:

•Traffic Congestion: "Although the city of Calabasas has made strides in dealing with traffic and reckless driving, now is the time to redouble our efforts," the candidate said. "I am strongly committed to this as a major focus and priority of the city."

Wolfson wants to look into installing more Smart Crosswalks, he wants to use more bicycle patrols, add more bus stops to the city’s bus program and he would like to possibly create an AM radio station that would give traffic condition information, among other ideas.

•Schools: "I understand the importance of giving our children the tools they need to excel. I will work to enhance public education and support our teachers. We also must ensure that our schools are good neighbors within their own residential communities."

Wolfson would like to continue joint-use efforts between the city and the school district, such as the use of field and playground space, and he’d like to create better communication between the city and the schools. Wolfson also wants to explore ways to attract the most qualified teachers to the city.

•Environment: "As a steward of the natural beauty of Calabasas, I will fight to preserve our open space and support our trail system so that these gifts will exist for generations to come."

•Public Safety: "I will be a steadfast supporter of our law enforcement and firefighters. We need to work to enhance the presence of these vital services to ensure public safety.

•Emergency Services: "I will fight to improve our regional trauma care system to ensure that our citizens have the best possible emergency services."

•Senior Citizens: "I understand the issues confronting the seniors in our community and will be their strong advocate on the city council."

Wolfson received his bachelor’s degree in American Government from Boston College and his master’s degree in Political Science from George Washington University, Mass.

The council candidate is a member of the California Bar Association, the immediate past executive vice president of Congregation Or Ami, a past member of the Calabasas Hills Homeowners Association, a past member of the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association and a current member of the Mountain Park Homeowners Association.

"I ask for the opportunity to bring fresh ideas and a mature approach to the city council," Wolfson said. "The citizens of Calabasas should get the qualified leadership that they deserve."

This is the first in a series of profiles on the Calabasas City Council candidates. One of the challengers, Vernon Padgett, declined a request to be interviewed.

For more information about the upcoming election, visit the city’s election page at www.cityof calabasas.com, or call city hall at (818) 878-4225.