A Few Words From Your New Culver City Mayor Jeff Cooper

At Monday night's Culver City council meeting, Jeff Cooper was installed as the new mayor of the city as Andy Weissman handed over the mantle.

As part of the rotating nature of the Culver City City Council, the mayorship lasts just one year. Cooper, who spent last year as vice mayor was voted in as the new mayor, while Meghan Sahli-Wells assumed the new vice mayorship.

Patch asked Mayor Cooper to answer a few questions about his vision for his upcoming 12 months in office:

Culver City Patch: What do you see as the main difficult issues facing Culver City in the coming year? 

Mayor Jeff Cooper: I feel some of the biggest issues facing Culver City actually are caused by the state of California, especially with regard to two major issues: the first is that the state is laying claim to properties owned by Culver City as a result of redevelopment funds being eliminated; and the second is the fact that the State has not yet developed strongly-needed regulations and guidelines with regard to hydraulic fracturing.
 
Patch: What are some of your "pet projects" that you would like to focus on?

Cooper: I would like to see us continue on our path as an environmental leader for other cities in our region to follow.  I would also like to see us take two commercial areas, Sepulveda Boulevard (from Washington Boulevard to Franklin Avenue) and Washington Boulevard ( from Sepulveda Boulevard to Overland Avenue) and create Business Improvement Districts to further spruce up the streets and medians. This will help identify us as a walkable place to enjoy and visit.
 
Patch: What are some of the exciting things that Culver City can look forward to in the coming year?

Cooper: We have so many events that attract people to Culver City – for example, the Car Show, Fiesta La Ballona, Third Wednesdays in Downtown Culver City, concerts at City Hall, and hopefully, another successful CicLAvia event. Also, I am hopeful that our economy will continue to strengthen and I, along with my fellow council members will do all we can to continue to make this the great city it has always been. 

Patch: What do you love about Culver City?

Cooper: I love the small town feeling of Culver City. Here, your voice can be heard and you can effect change because the council and staff are available to the entire community. My children were raised here, and I value our educational system. I also love our beautiful tree lined streets, great merchants and best of all a city full  of caring citizens.

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