Barry Groveman Incumbent Barry Groveman says he isn't running against anyone in next month's City Council election and that the other three candidates are not influencing his strategy.

Two seats, including Groveman's, are up for election.

"If I deserve to be rehired, then I hope I will be," Groveman said. "I'm not running against anybody."

After being elected in 2003, Groveman put forth a series of reforms in an attempt to improve relations between the council, the city's staff and the residents of Calabasas.

Groveman said he's particularly proud of the "civility that's been restored" on the council.

"That wasn't an accident," said Groveman, who always wears a suit to meetings and prefers not to use first names. "I'm dressing, speaking and setting an example that's hard not to follow. It's born of an understanding that there's a statesman's role to play."

But it wasn't just a change of clothes Groveman called for. Upon his election, Groveman got the council to approve a series of reforms, including a full audit of the city's financial and contracting process. The demands led to a new city manager, city attorney and the city's first chief financial officer.

"I think I was very influential in changing the dynamic of the council to one that gets things done," Groveman said. "That's the approach- to solve problems. I think I was instrumental in turning this city around."

Groveman tackled the city's traffic problems by calling for increased enforcement and restoring public school bus service at a reduced price.

Schools also have been a major focus for Groveman, who cofounded the Calabasas Education Fund which has provided money for school counselors, library books and educational programs.

"This district has all the bone structure it needs," Groveman said. "It could be the greatest school district in California. I'm committed to the school board to making that sooner rather than later. I defer to them (the board members), but they are going to get all the help they can get from me."

Groveman also served as liaison to the City Council in the city's acquisition of Ahmanson Ranch and Soka University land for open space. In a related matter, Groveman, who is a member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Board, sponsored a resolution to prevent businesses with poor environmental records from receiving city contracts.

When deciding to run again, Groveman said he spoke with his family about whether his service would continue to be useful to the city. The Grovemans decided there was still more work to be done.

"What good is a train if there are no tracks?" Groveman asked. "I want to make sure the tracks are permanently planted, a solid infrastructure that will carry along after I'm gone."

Groveman, an environmental lawyer, is a transplanted New Yorker who moved to California more than 30 years ago. His wife and son have resided in Calabasas since 1990.

No matter what happens in the election, Groveman said he wanted to stress the importance of the vote.

"The people who vote are unhappy," Groveman said. "People who are content forget to vote. If you're happy with the city, you owe it to us to vote."

For more information, visit www.barrygroveman.com.