Candidate brings community experience to MAC race

Drew Fine Drew Fine's motivation for running for the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council is a desire to set an example for his 10-year-old daughter, Blake, and to support the community he loves.

Fine is running for one of two seats being vacated by longtime MAC members Deena Parry and Todd Haines. Derek Ross and Alon Glickstein are also seeking election to the MAC on Nov. 4. Michael McReynolds dropped out of the race due to injuries he suffered in last month's Metrolink train crash, too late to remove his name from the ballot.

Being involved in the community is not new for Fine. He is a volunteer coach for the American Youth Soccer Organization, Westlake Agoura Girls Softball and the Agoura Youth Basketball Association. He is currently the AYBA third-grade girls division director. Fine's goal is to teach the kids to work together as a team and to learn the importance of commitment and involvement.

"As a coach, my No. 1 priority is to have the children of all the teams, not just ours, feel good about themselves. Regardless of the final scores, if they leave with a strong sense of self-esteem they still are winners," said Fine, 47, whose ex-wife, Mya, also lives in Oak Park.

Before moving to Oak Park in 2004, Fine lived in Toluca Lake and before that in Marina del Rey, where he served as a volunteer sheriff's deputy. A former Boy Scout, Fine was a volunteer sailing instructor for the Scouting program in Marina del Rey.

The welfare of children in the community is one of Fine's concerns. He worries about the lack of activities available for young people on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We were all teenagers once, so each of us knows quite well how easy it is to get in trouble," Fine said. "I think these kids need a place to go. I have seen how participation in community affairs can really help kids and the community."

He'd like to see a communitywide mentoring program between teenagers and younger kids, similar to the buddies program at the local elementary schools that pairs upper- and lower-grade students.

"Our kids aren't always going to come to us or go to their teachers. To have an older kid who they can look up to would be beneficial, not only for the younger ones but for the older ones as well," Fine said.

Creating a community policing program is another of Fine's interests. As a volunteer sheriff, he rode his bike through Marina del Rey, keeping watch. He'd also like to see more residents involved in local government, learning the process and how they can contribute.

"I want to make it easier for people to get involved. There's so much talent in the community," Fine said.

He is sorry to see Parry and Haines end their involvement on the MAC, leaving "a void that will be difficult to fill."

"They've done a great job, and we can build on their strengths . . ." Fine said. "With my love for this community and my continued commitment and participation in it, I feel that I am well qualified to be a member of the Oak Park MAC."

Fine is a wholesale car dealer whose business, Fine Motors, is based in Thousand Oaks. A native of Marblehead, Mass., Fine attended the Stella Adler Acting School in Hollywood and studied English at UCLA. He is a published poet and novelist.

Connie and Ben Balke have coached basketball and softball with Fine. Their daughter, Hannah Rose, is a close friend and classmate of Fine's daughter. The girls are in the fifth grade at Brookside Elementary.

"Drew is a real family man who loves this community and just wants the best for it," Connie Balke said. "He believes in mentoring, leadership and setting by example. He's a good guy."