Westlake Village City Council candidates revisit difficult year
Nov. 6 election forum opens old wounds
By Sophia Fischer  sfischer@theacorn.com

The four candidates for Westlake Village City Council were given a sample of what's on voters' minds during a Sept. 27 candidate forum at the North Ranch Community Center. Much of the discussion concerned growth and business in the city.

Hosted by the Westlake Joint Board of Homeowner Associations, the forum attracted about 40 residents who asked the candidates about a variety of issues including the December passing over of Councilmember Jim Bruno for mayor and the failure to bring a Lowe's home improvement store to the city.

Incumbent Philippa Klessig is up for reelection Nov. 6, but Bruno decided not to run. There are three challengers for the two seats: Ned Davis, Theodore Corwin and Carol Kirschbaum. Kirschbaum, a retired insurance administrator, spoke about what she believes are the most important issues for residents: development and traffic.

Kirschbaum pointed out the "incompatible architecture" of the recently completed Four Seasons hotel and the large size of the proposed Sunrise senior living facility in the former Westlake Hospital site. She said she voted against Measure Z, the Lowe's development, but is not against new projects. She said she favors "sensible development."

"I feel we're losing the village in Westlake," Kirschbaum said. "Just because you're on the City Council doesn't make you an expert in architectural design."

Kirschbaum would like to see a committee made up of residents who are professionals in land use, civil engineering, architecture and other construction-related fields to advise the City Council.

Klessig highlighted her accomplishments over the past four years including improvement of local parks, increased support of schools, enhanced landscaping that requires less water and maintenance, increased public services including electronic waste pickup and longer library hours, and better communication with residents through the city newsletter.

Klessig talked about the council's support of local business. She said the city each year only receives $298 per resident from taxes, yet spends about $2,000 per resident for city services including public safety. Businesses provide tax revenue, helping make up the difference.

And in spite of commercial development, 55 percent of the city is open space, Klessig said.

"I think we do have a cap on growth. We do have a plan going forward," Klessig said. "The city is a business and improving the business side is just as important as growing community spirit."

Klessig discussed the $18-million price tag on improvements to Lindero Canyon Road. The city recently secured an $8.5-million grant from the state for the project, but must provide the rest.

"We have $22 million in our reserves but I hate to see it all going to roadwork," Klessig said.

She defended the City Council's decision not to appoint Bruno as mayor--a move that upset many residents. Still, she offered praise for her former colleague.

Bruno, who led the fight against Lowe's in Westlake Village, was snubbed by the council when it voted to retain Sue McSweeney as mayor rather than follow a longstanding tradition and promote the mayor pro tem, which Bruno was at the time. Klessig replaced Bruno as mayor pro tem.

Some residents criticized the council's action while others applauded it.

"Jim is a good family man. The City Council did not take action as retribution, but we will never let tradition and precedence trump good government," Klessig said. "You may not always agree with me but I remain committed to improving life in Westlake Village."

Corwin, a local plastic surgeon, pointed out that a physician has never served on the City Council.

Corwin voted in support of Lowe's but believes the Sunrise senior project is too intense for the proposed old hospital site.

"When I drive down Lindero, get stuck in traffic and am getting hot under the collar, I realize this is the dues I have to pay so I can have parks I can walk to from my home, I can send my kids to public school and I can see the trees," Corwin said.

He said the City Council is not "the important group," but rather it is residents who are the "voice of the city."

"The City Council is just a conduit. Any one of us elected will do a fantastic job," Corwin said. "I think we're pretty lucky to have so many who want to serve you on the City Council."

Davis, a CEO/management consultant, urged those at the forum to put the controversial events of the past year behind them.

"I think there are opportunities to learn from what happened with Lowe's but we need to move on. We need to smile at our neighbors," Davis said. "It's a time to heal, a time to be sensible."

The council needs to be more responsive to what residents want, Davis added.

"The planning process seems not to be open enough. It seems a little closed," he said. "The City Council's role is to approve what's coming out of homeowner associations, not to tell the HOA what to do."

For resident Michael Nester, his first candidate forum was an eye-opener.

"Points were raised tonight about individuals and issues that I'm not aware of going on in the community," Nester said. "I need more input. I guess I need to get to know the people running better."