Monrovia City Council Candidates Forum: Larry Spicer

Three candidates are running for two open seats on the Monrovia City Council and voters will choose between them on April 9. Each candidate responded to the same questions for Patch's online candidate forum. This is the second installment from candidate Larry Spicer. The first installment from write-in candidate Robert Parry can be found here.

1. Please tell us about yourself and why you should be elected to represent the people of Monrovia

I have been a Monrovia resident all my life (57 years),  have been married for 21 years and have three children all educated in Monrovia public schools. I attended Huntington Elementary, Clifton Middle School and graduated from Monrovia High in 1973.  After graduating, I enlisted in the United States Army, served my country for more than 21years as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist, became an expert in that field, received over 15 awards/decorations and acquired leadership, accounting and procurement skills. Monrovia is dear to my heart. For more than six years I have been an avid volunteer for our city, my church and our schools. This includes my serving as an interim city councilmember for almost a year.  

My focus has been and is youth education and training, civic involvement and gang violence reduction. My leadership in the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) program helped our city win a national award in 2011 for taking Sherman Avenue back from gang members and making the neighborhood safe for families. For this I was personally named to “Who’s Who In America's Neighborhoods.” a nationwide honor that I received in a ceremony held in Alaska. I am the only candidate that has given consistent, effective, problem solving community service. I work hard to get things done. Voters can count on me to continue to put in the time and effort it takes to improve the quality of life all Monrovia’s people deserve. I believe in walking the walk versus just talking the talk. My effectiveness as a volunteer, civic leader and team builder is proven not just promised.

2. The Gold Line is finally back on track after a series of expensive lawsuits. What does the city still need to do to take advantage of the development opportunities along the Foothill Extension?

The City is fortunate to have funding from the Gold Line Construction Authority and State and Federal Grants to improve the public infrastructure in the Station Square area. You will see new roadways, streetlights, street trees, street signs, bus stops, open space, and landscaping that will improve the physical look of an area that has been neglected for a long time. These physical improvements will serve as a foundation for private investment in the area. Redevelopment is no longer an option so the City will have to be creative in marketing the sites as well as reviewing our zoning regulations to make sure they are consistent with what the market wants to build.       

3. The city has been adjusting to the reality of a shrinking budget for some time now. What are your budgetary priorities? What, specifically, would you cut to make the budget leaner if need be?

Keeping all of Monrovia’s citizens safe, especially those who are most vulnerable – our youth and senior citizens, is a primary concern to me, Economic Development, Environmental Stewardship, Historical Preservation, Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance, Long Tern Fiscal Responsibility, MAP,  Community Participation, Youth and Senior Services, Quality Professional Staff.

I am hesitant to comment about budget cuts without fully exploring the impact this drastic kind of action would have on our citizens and employees. My decision on this is still a work in progress.

4. With the elimination of its redevelopment agency, Monrovia has lost a tool that city leaders have long championed as a key to the city's prosperity. How can the city move forward and encourage economic development without the use of redevelopment?

We still have a capable economic development staff that will continue to work with developers to bring new opportunities for us to consider. The City Council can determine the best use of funds, even though revenues may be limited compared to past years. This city has a long history of getting developers to look at Monrovia as a win-win opportunity. There still are some redevelopment tools available to us, such as appropriate zoning regulations, streamlined permitting, and competitive fees. These can be used to encourage development. The key is to remain business friendly and work hand in hand with the development community to create new opportunities in the City. 

5. What differentiates you from your fellow candidates? You've all posted positions on key issues on your websites. Where is there agreement? Where is there disagreement?

I know this city and have called it home for 57 years. My roots are embedded here. I have watched Monrovia develop over the years through its vast improvements in infrastructure, its social awareness and being a beacon of light in the San Gabriel Valley. I am the only candidate with years of proven, effective volunteer service to the city. Some of my current and past volunteer work has been:

• Appointed Interim City Councilman
• Monrovia Planning Commissioner
• Trustee Second Baptist Church, Monrovia
• Watch Dog Dad for Bradoaks Elementary
• Peace on Patrol Parent (POP) Clifton Middle School and Monrovia High School
• Y Life-Friday Night Live Project Coordinator
• Red Cross Volunteer
• Certified MAPS Leader (Monrovia Area Partnership)
• Member Community Mediation Team (CMT)
• Board Member Make a Difference Day
• Board Member Duarte Hawks Youth Sports Association

I agree Monrovia has to be diligent in how our city manages its finances and must invest in our youth by partnering with our school leaders. However, I look at the glass as half full rather than half empty regarding the city being in a “precarious financial situation”. The City Council’s prudent fiscal oversight and planning will help us meet the challenges caused by unfunded federal and state mandates and a slowed economy.

6. Public employee retirement benefits remain a contentious issue and the city has sought and obtained some concessions from its employee unions. What still needs to be done with the city's retirement system?  

We need to honor the agreements already in place while we continue to look for ways to improve the retirement system so that current and future employees’ pensions are not jeopardized. This will require our closely monitoring the number of current retirees and projected retirees to keep our pension obligations in balance.

7. Costly storm water regulations are proving to be a burden for local governments. How can Monrovia abide by the new mandates?

To avoid penalties and fines that can be imposed because of the new MS4 NPDES regulations, Monrovia must stay in compliance with the permit’s provisions and implement our city’s Compliance Monitoring Program.

8. Candidates often talk about the importance of maintaining public safety. How do you think the local public safety agencies are performing?

I believe our Police Department is doing a good job of patrolling our streets and keeping citizens safe but there is always room for improvement. The enforcement of the gang injunction has proven to be an added benefit to the city. The relationship between law enforcement and our neighborhoods has improved. We can continue along this positive path with more citizen input and sustained transparency.

What, if anything, needs to be done to make the community safer?

As stated earlier, I believe our Police Department is doing a good job of keeping its citizens safe. If we can continue to find grants to expand and improve our public parks, particularly in the south part of Monrovia, that will provide affordable, safe family entertainment. This will give our young people additional places to play and engage in healthy exercise. I would like to see the community outreach continue with quarterly meetings for public input. We must continue the partnership with Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP). It offers a comprehensive approach to combating blight and crime while empowering neighborhoods to foster citizen activism, volunteerism and community pride. The partnership accomplishes this through a comprehensive application of services ranging from home improvement grants and public infrastructure upgrades.

The Community Mediation Team (CMT) is a partnership of committed Monrovia, Duarte, and Los Angeles County leaders and stakeholders, focused on crime prevention and gang violence reduction, who identify, assess and address needs of individuals and families who reside or work in our communities. CMT is also a vital partner in our efforts to keep our community safe.