Meet the Candidates Q&A: John Edelston

John Edelston, a two-term City Councilmember, is seeking re-election to the five member City Council. The 27-year Agoura Hills resident and his wife, Debra, have raised their two daughters, Danielle and April, here, and both girls attended LVUSD schools.

Edelston earned his MBA from Pepperdine University and is currently president and CEO of HealthPro Associates, located in Westlake Village.

Agoura Hills Patch: Why are you running for re-election?

John Edelston: We were well on our way to doing a lot of things and were side-tracked because of the recession. I am very engaged in the community. We'd begun to build up Agoura Village, which, for lack of a better term, has become our Downtown area (Kanan Rd. and Agoura Rd.). There's a lot of opportunity to create an area for people to congregate, eat and shop.

More recently, we needed to dissolve our RDA. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this, because we did a lot of good things with our RDA. But because of a decision made in Sacramento, the state would take more money than what the RDA contributes to the City leaving the City to make up the difference from its general fund. So the City Council made the determination that we could not afford to continue the RDA. The loss of the RDA puts the City $300,000 plus in the hole…and the challenge is that we still need to live within our means. We've had eight balanced budgets in each of the last eight years…and we need to continue this in the future. I want to participate in providing both the leadership in terms of how we go about doing that and to make sure it's being done.

I am very financial oriented. Both the Kanan and Reyes Adobe overpass’ were completed on-time and within budget. Next, we need to take on the re-alignment and expansion of the Chesebro overpass, because not only is it unsafe (including a blind spot), but it currently doesn't meet Caltrans minimum requirements and needs to be raised two feet.

Patch: What do you think are some of the biggest issues currently facing Agoura?

Edelston: One of the biggest issues is figuring out how best to work with the in raising money for our schools. We have an amazing school district and need to be supportive. This also includes supporting , which will be on the November ballot. It's a tax but for a limited length of time, and it is needed to help our school district to maintain its excellence.

There are a lot of little things and a lot of big things that still need to be done.

Patch: Do you have any environmentally friendly endeavors you would like to pursue?

Edelston: I participated in critically evaluating the that will be off Agoura Rd. The project expects to receive Platinum Plus LEED and will leave a zero environmental foot-print.

I formed, along with another council member, the Environmental Responsibility Committee. This Committee reviews and suggests ways the city can act in an environmentally responsible manner. Environmental initiatives we have taken during the past four years include expanding our parks, protecting three blue line streams that run through the city and expand wildlife corridors.

Also, as part of the current council, I voted to continue with issuing reduced fees and permit costs for solar power production in the City. Because of it, we've seen a 60 percent increase in applicants.

We were instrumental in purchasing the excess property leading up to to make into park lands. It will be left untouched as a passive park.

I would like to see the expansion of bike lanes, and perhaps work with Calabasas and Westlake in standardizing our bike lanes and biking system, so riders can have one set of signage.

Patch: How would you get people more involved in local government?

Edelston: There should be more transparency. I would like to see more citizen participation, but we need to be sensitive to the fact that this would lead to an expansion of staff and costs.

I would like to point out that we have so many people already involved with our City. Look at for example. There is tremendous volunteer participation.

Patch: What's the first thing you would like to do if elected to the council?

Edelston: To continue some of the things I've been doing. We've got a challenging budget and need to sit down and take a closer look, particularly in light of the RDA situation.

Patch: What is your stance on development in the city? Do you think Agoura needs more of them or do you think the city is at its status quo when it comes to commercial or non-residential developments?

Edelston: The kind of development that we see with the Shops at Oak Creek is what I'd like to foster more of. It's desirable, cohesive and fits in with the community. I call that smart development.

Patch: Do you have any thoughts on how the city can assist the school district, particularly in light of the cutting of the RDA?

Edelston: We have a three year relationship with the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, and I'd like to get them more involved in bringing in local businesses to help with our funding. It would be a multi-agency approach.

I would also like to work with Cal Lutheran and Pepperdine University to use some of their technology at our local school level.

Patch: Do you have any new ideas or programs in mind that could help generate some additional revenue for the city?

Edelston: We are currently working on a master plan to form a tourism bureau, together with Westlake and Thousand Oaks, as well as with the California Park Service and National Park Service. We are the gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains, and we'd like to bring in people who are interested in exploring the area, places like Ahmanson Ranch and the King Gillette Ranch ... We would also make a wonderful central location for people who want to shop at the Camarillo outlets one day, go to the beach another. Then they would come back here to fill their cars with gas, eat at our restaurants and stay in our hotels.