Memberships Past and Present
Torrance City Council – 2002 to 2006
Torrance Planning Commissioner 10 years
Public Facilities and Building Corporation
Torrance Improvements Corporation
Chairman of the Armed Forces Day Parade
Board of Managers Torrance South Bay YMCA
Served on (2) Torrance Unified School District AD-HOC Committees
Board Member and Contributor of the Torrance Education Foundation
Member of the Board of Trustees of Los Angles West Vector Control
Vice President Independent Cities Association
Advisory Board of Salvation Army
Member of California League of Cities
Member of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council
Former Independent Businessman operating two successful small businesses
Mike's City Council Accomplishments
Represented Torrance on the Chandler Rock Re-Use Committee - Mike envisioned a creative plan that brought three cities and multiple property owners together which generated a $10 million windfall to Torrance. Regarding this benefit, please go to the home page and click on Please Take Survey and tell him, how this money should be spent, he would like to hear from you. Ask yourself, when was it the last time your councilman delivered $10 million dollars to our community without increasing your taxes? Mike is always looking for creative opportunities that advance the City of Torrance economically.
Extensive Planning Experience - Mike was a planning commissioner for Ten Years, one the of the longest serving planning commissioners in the history of the city. During his time as a planning commissioner and a member of the council, he made decisions on over 2,000 planning cases, more than all the other candidates and council members combined. Furthermore, as a councilman, when it came time to vote on housing projects, he had
the lowest voting record, approving just 50% of the units that came before the council.
Recognition of Old Historic Torrance – Mike asked for hearings for the recognition and saving of Old Historic Torrance. Mike Listened and Suggested the following and the council agreed and the following was enacted: One, install signage when entering “Old Torrance”. Two, develop guidelines for the architecture and style of the historic homes in Old Torrance. Three, the enactment of the Mills Act giving property owners tax breaks on their property taxes by maintaining their historic homes. Growing up in Old Torrance has made Mike very aware of this precious part of our city.
Eliminated Smoking at Torrance Beach – Mike initiated a Smoke-Free Beach ordinance demonstrating the environmental effects of smoking and cigarette butts on our pristine Torrance Beach, and the council listened. This received national recognition and Mike's lobby of this ordinance is used by many interest groups as an example in how to get things done at City Hall. Protecting our precious resources is a must for a healthy community.
Fought AB 2702 – This assembly bill, changing all R-1 properties in the state in to R-2 properties, (allowing two families in live in single family home) made it to the governor's desk. Mike along with many others on the Independent Cities Association fought this bill vigorously and convinced the governor to veto this bill. When he did, the governor used the language that Mike and members of ICA provided him. Protecting our residential neighborhoods is a priority to Mike.
Saving Los Angeles Air Force Base – Mike was part of the South Bay Coalition to save the region's $60 billion dollar economic generator. He along with other walked the halls of congress and met with the White House officials to convince the need to keep the base in its present location and not move it to Colorado or New Mexico. Economic vitality is a must in order for Torrance to maintain the high level of services. Mike will see to it that Torrance will prosper in the coming years, this is a must.
Mansionazation – As an active member of the community in the early 90's, Mike brought forward the issue of Mansionazation to the city council. He then lobbied the city council regarding the increasing size of large homes going up in his neighborhood. After a year of hearings, the city council agreed with Mike which resulted in a major revision of the R-1 zoning code prohibiting the overbuilding of large homes on small lots. Mike knew the neighborhood was going out of balance and scale in the size of large over-scale houses and did something about it.
Shared City Council Accomplishments
Reduced Serious Crime, Provided Torrance's very own DNA scientist working exclusively on Torrance Police Cases, Revitalization of Del Amo Mall, Opening of the 1st Green Building in the City of Torrance, Advanced a member to the council to the California State Assembly, Torrance Art Museum, Tree house for disabled in Wilson Park, George Nakano Theater, Artesia Blvd. Refurbishment, Western Avenue Refurbishment, Funding and Planning for Del Amo Overpass, Funding and planning for Torrance Blvd. & Sepulveda Blvd. Resurface Projects, Upgrade of Lago Seco Park, Newton Street Refurbishment, New Acura Design Center, New Jobs, New Restaurants, New Park Equipment, and Absorbed Budget Reductions from the State of California with no cuts in Police and Fire Services.
