Dear Editor,
With a week to go until Election Day, I’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next. Throughout this campaign, knocking on doors and meeting residents across Culver City, I’ve been listening to what matters most to you — the people who make this community what it is. There are many priorities I want to pursue, but these six reflect the concerns and questions I’ve heard about most along the way.
Culver City’s future is incredibly bright, and in my first term I learned a lot about how to take a big vision and turn it into big results. Another thing I’ve learned is that the first 100 days are a pivotal time for change, and a chance to set expectations for the entire term.
In my first 100 days, I’ll focus on six key priorities. I’ll hold roundtables with the community and meet with city staff in order to publish a clear report on my website explaining what I’ve learned. Our council and staff are doing excellent work. Building on their efforts and the city’s public communications, I want to help residents understand what’s happening, what’s planned, and what it means for them, before they even have to ask.
Review our Flock cameras
I’ll study the city’s review of Flock license plate cameras, their public safety benefits, privacy risks, and safeguards against unauthorized access and misuse. I’ll report what I learn about how our data is used and protected, and examine whether suspension or alternatives would better serve our community. Public safety and civil liberties deserve careful consideration together.
Understand our General Plan
I helped launch the General Plan update during my first term. I’ll study the adopted plan, its housing goals and zoning changes, and explain what they mean for individual neighborhoods. My report will describe the vision, what is projected, and how residents can participate as the plan takes shape.
Survey our parks
I’ll work with the Parks Commission and staff to understand park conditions, equipment, tree cover and shade, and report on improvements underway, as well as funding and future plans. Building on that work, I’ll explore procuring more trees and interim shade structures, pocket parks in underserved areas, and opportunities for parks and open space in the Hayden Tract. I’ll also pursue the vision I began working toward a decade ago: Ballona Creek as an expansive linear park spanning our city. Looking further ahead, I envision beautiful public open space as part of the Inglewood Oil Field’s future after oil operations end.
Review our sidewalks and streets
I applaud the council, led by Mayor Freddy Puza, for making sidewalk and street repairs a priority and committing substantial funding to that work. I’ll study what that investment means for the pace of repairs and share where improvements are underway and the schedules residents can expect. Building on that commitment, I’ll explore opportunities to accelerate safety upgrades, improve pavement, and expand accessibility for people with disabilities.
Understand our finances
My experience as mayor and councilmember gives me a strong grounding in our city’s budget and prepares me to get to work immediately. I’ll build on that experience by reviewing the changes made under our city manager and current council, working with staff and community finance experts to examine today’s resources, commitments and priorities. I’ll share that picture in plain language and explore how our financial planning can support the city we want over the next five to ten years.
Support our film, television and entertainment industry
We held a meet-and-greet focused on revitalizing Culver City’s film, television and entertainment industry, and the response from the professional community was tremendous. I’ll research the city’s efforts, listen to industry professionals about the challenges and opportunities they see, and report what I learn about how we can build on that work to support this vital part of our city’s economy and identity.
I’m proud of the collaborative work that helped bring Culver Steps and Ivy Station to life and advance the Inglewood Oil Field phaseout. I’ll bring that same commitment to learning, communicating and working together in my first 100 days.
Thomas Aujero Small
