Election 2018: Lake Forest City Council District 2 candidates share their priorities and thoughts on local issues
Voters will go to the polls Nov. 6 to pick who will represent them on the City Council.
Ahead of the election, all candidates were invited to share information about themselves and answer questions about their priorities and local concerns for this voter guide. In each city, all were asked the same questions and given the same word count for their answers.
In Lake Forest, two vying for the District 2 seat on the City Council.
The candidates
Neeki Moatazedi, 36, project manager for Southern California Gas Company (Facebook: Neeki4LakeForest)
Myron Sonny Morper, 75, retired public school teacher and principal (Sonny@morper4council.org)
Question 1: What are your top two priorities if elected?
Neeki Moatazedi: 1) To address overcrowding in schools, and 2) work on ways to alleviate traffic
Myron Sonny Morper: 1) Improve the flow of traffic during peak periods by modernizing the computer system for traffic lights, establishing more dedicated right and left turn lanes, permissive left turn signals and get the pedestrian crossing lights calibrated if it means a change in the law.
2) Adopt a strategic plan for the development of the Nakase Nursery property that represents a studied approach following broad-based opportunities for citizen input from a District 2 action committee I will form.
Question 2: How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves with meeting residents’ needs? Should it involve finding new revenue or trimming the budget?
Neeki Moatazedi: I think it’s imperative for the city to implement continuous budget improvements and cost savings. In addition, it may be a good long-term strategy to look for ways to increase revenue other than increasing taxes.
Myron Sonny Morper: I continue to support community input into the budgeting process, a conservative approach to our budget adoption, continued maintenance of an annual balanced budget that is based upon program needs of our citizens.
Question 3: What should the city’s role be in encouraging the development of low-income housing units? Would you support a mandate or an incentive of some kind?
Neeki Moatazedi: I do not support a mandate, but I do believe that cities should address low income housing needs, if it applies to their community.
Myron Sonny Morper: Low-income housing is necessary in all cities and based upon our new city master plan being developed, I support incorporating that issue as part of our strategic plan. I can support certain mandates and incentives within a comprehensive citywide business plan.
Question 4: Communities across the state are grappling with rising pension and other post-employment benefit costs. What do you think needs to be done to deal with this problem?
Neeki Moatazedi: Over the last 25 years pension liabilities have increased in California, the liabilities continue to grow even though average market returns have exceeded expectations. As the population of retirees under the pension programs increase, and a declining birth rate continues, the pension liability will only get worse. The pension programs in California need to be restructured.
Myron Sonny Morper: In our city we have no budget deficit associated with pensions. Our budget is balanced. I support keeping it that way.
Question 5: On the ballot this November, voters will be asked to decide on whether to repeal the recently enacted increase to the state gas tax. What is your position on the gas tax?
Neeki Moatazedi: I am in favor of repealing the gas tax. There’s already money set aside in the budget to improve roads and infrastructure. Unfortunately, much of that money is diverted to cover deficits. We need to maintain our roads without additional fees at the pump or increased vehicle registration.
Myron Sonny Morper: I am voting “yes” to repeal the gas tax: Proposition 6.
Question 6: The high cost of housing in California has spurred increased interest in rent control. On the ballot this November is Proposition 10, which would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Act. What are your thoughts on rent control?
Neeki Moatazedi: I do not support rent control.
Myron Sonny Morper: More affordable housing needs to be authorized; however, rent control is not the solution.
Question 7: Proposition 64 authorizes the legalization of marijuana, while granting local jurisdictions the authority to approve or deny certain marijuana-related businesses. What are your thoughts on marijuana legalization to date and what do you think of your own community’s policies on marijuana?
Neeki Moatazedi: Legalization of marijuana undermines Federal policy and adds increased exposure to our children. I would not support a marijuana dispensary or related business in our community.
Myron Sonny Morper: I consider marijuana a gateway drug and oppose any legalization of it or enhancing legal sales in our city.
Question 8: Senate Bill 54 limits the role of state and local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws. The law has drawn legal challenges from some localities which want the flexibility to work with the federal government. What do you think of SB54?
Neeki Moatazedi: SB54 prevents federal and local law enforcement from working together, creates sanctuaries that can be detrimental to the victims of crime, and makes the city less safe. Therefore, I do not support SB 54.
Myron Sonny Morper: I support working with the federal government in order to enforce our existing laws and for Congress to move forward with overall immigration laws and strategies that work.