Name: Allen E. Brandstater
Profession: Business owner/publicist
Years living in Glendale: 51
Education: Attended Columbus Elementary School, Glendale Union
Academy, Glendale College and School of Journalism at USC
Community Participation:
* I have been involved in local, regional, statewide and national
political campaigns as a professional consultant for more than 30 years,
including those of Ronald Reagan, Mike Antonovich, Pat Nolan, Carlos
Moorhead and Jim Rogan.
1. What should be done about traffic in Glendale?
Signal synchronization could be accomplished quickly and easily,
without the great expense claimed by the city. Remove barriers that have
privatized some public streets in recent years. Tear out speed humps,
which impede the even flow of traffic, especially emergency vehicles.
2. What in you background demonstrates your ability to create
consensus?
My profession involves the skills of communication and persuasion.
While I realize three council votes are necessary to achieve one's goals,
I also am committed to restoring policies that made Glendale financially
secure. I will compromise on strategy, but I will not alter my principles
of limited government and reasonable growth.
3. What benefits or liabilities do you see in the proposed Town
Center?
There is tremendous benefit to Glendale for revenue if a responsible
developer is given the chance to build a profitable center, one that will
bring substantial revenues to Glendale's treasury. The liability will be
if we attempt to devote seven of the 11 acres to a municipal park. This
will remove extremely valuable land from the tax rolls. A park of that
size would be utter folly.
4. Do you see the city as being business friendly?
No, not any longer. The bureaucracy of the city is entrenched to the
extent that business requirements are often contradictory, unreasonable
and confusing. As an example, merchants who are accused of violating the
sign ordinance are often threatened with criminal action if they fail to
comply. This is not the hallmark of a business friendly city.
5. Do you support changing to a primary election format? Why or
why not?
Yes. A large field of candidates in a "sudden death" election
eliminates options for voters. Glendale's voters should have a primary
and general election runoff to choose from those candidates who best
reflect their choices as to whom most closely reflect their views.
6. What will be your highest priority on the council? How will you
act on that priority?
To reestablish genuine fiscal common sense to local government. We
need to restore as an absolute must the policy of dedicating 50% of the
city's share of sales and gas tax revenues to the Capital Improvement
Program. Borrowing and deficit financing as a means of running a city are
unwise and imprudent policies.
7. Will you accept the $739 car allowance?
Yes. It is ironic some criticize elected officials for such a paltry
sum to aid them in their duties, yet ignore the fact Glendale has spent
more that $1.5 million on lawyers to fight the Polygon suit in recent
years, or the endless legal expenses of opposing building fine new homes
at Oakmont View V.
