See the issues below that we have already addressed in past days & years. We will be adding issues and our response as issues come up or are presented in the Press. Remember, we all want to be "Harboring the Good Life..." That is why I will answer to no one but you, the residents of Dana Point. For issues you may want answers to, email us at Steven@WeinbergForDanaPoint.com

From the Dana Point News & Dana Point Times Q&A.

From the Dana Point Times October 15, 2010

Q: If elected, how will you go about fostering a better business community in Dana Point? What types of incentives will you give businesses that might be looking to locate or relocate here, in order to promote better economic development? And, what will you do in support of existing businesses in town?

Dana Point is and will continue to be a business friendly City. While respecting property rights and free enterprise, we have made great strides in the last four years in assisting our business community and prospective businesses that want to come to town.

Two things businesses want and require to invest their money in our community is a stable and highly functional government, which we have, and well-defined development plan. A piecemeal plan of doing a little here and a little there with a few random programs thrown in has not and will not work. Business owners want something that is dependable and long-term.

We as a City are actively creating an environment that is conducive to locating a business in Dana Point. During my tenure on the City Council and Planning Commission, we developed a Town Center Plan, and are now working on a Doheny Village Master Plan. In addition, we have approved a Harbor Development Plan. Now developers know what the concept, vision, and standards are for these areas, and can determine what is financially viable to create a project that will get approved.

We also have a City staff that goes out of their way to welcome and guide new businesses on how to expedite their permits and inspections so they can open as quickly as possible. We have not raised our fees since 1998, and have some of the lowest in the area. In addition, we lowered the fees for solar panel installation in June 2010 and encourage utilizing “green” construction practices.

Another important aspect of supporting our local economy is private/public partnerships. The most recent example is the private/public partnership with our four major hotels though the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). This program allows the hotels in conjunction with the City to market Dana Point collectively. We also support the efforts of our outstanding Chamber of Commerce.

The City is very much involved in attracting visitors to our town. We have many events that attract consumers from outside the area such as the Dana Point Grand Prix, the Concours d’Elegance, Turkey Trot, and the Festival of Whales. We are currently working with our two neighboring cities on a Tri-City Trolley that will connect train passengers to our shops and hotels in Dana Point.

As a City Councilman, I will continue to work toward having a vibrant business climate here in Dana Point. There is no better way to make sure that our local businesses are healthy than to eat in our local restaurants, buy your gas and groceries here, and buy from the merchants in town, but we must make sure we have a cohesive plan and a stable, functional government so businesses can plan for a long and prosperous future in our city.

From the Dana Point Times September 17, 2010

Q: What do you feel are the most important issues the City of Dana Point is facing and why?

Dana Point is currently ranked the safest coastal city in Orange County. 96% of our residents responded to a recent survey stating they were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with the city government and their quality of life. This number is impressive, but we must continue to improve and not rest on our laurels. We need to persist in our ongoing quest for cleaner beaches and better ocean water quality. We need to be fiscally responsible and vigilant with a balanced budget and healthy cash reserves. We need to maintain our high levels of public safety, parks and public infrastructure, to sustain and protect our enviable quality of life here in Dana Point.

Economic diversity is what will keep Dana Point a prosperous, five-star city. We must find ways to increase our revenue that are not solely reliant on hotel visitors. Doheny Village is one area where we can generate increased sales and property tax revenue through better land use. The Doheny Village Task Force, of which I am a member, is looking at ways to make this area into the showcase it should be.

Q: How will you make the tough decisions you are sure to face if elected to the Dana Point City Council? Will you base your decisions on what you believe is best for the city, or will you govern based on what you think the majority of residents want?

As someone once said, “The easy issues are easy and the hard issues just take more time and effort.” It is not a question of what is best for the City versus what the majority of the residents want. It is what is best for the City and what the residents want and desire. During my tenure on the Council and before that, the Planning Commission, I have always brought a “No Nonsense” philosophy to all decisions. I listen to all parties and viewpoints before making up my mind. For complex issues, I support the use of citizen task forces or subcommittees. A good example of this was the Town Center Subcommittee. We held over 30 public meeting before presenting the Town Center plan to the Planning Commission and City Council. As a member of the Subcommittee, I had a front-row seat to witness the outstanding collaboration between all the stakeholders and I know we came up with a better plan because of it.

Questions asked by the residents of Dana Point.

Q I am asked, “How you think the City is doing in serving their residents”.

A In the Spring of 2010, we contracted with True North, a well respected survey organization, to conduct a survey on how the residents of Dana Point thought the City Council and our staff were doing to serve the community. The results came back and stated that the 96% of the residents were either extremely satisfied or satisfied with the services they were receiving. To read the complete report, click on True North Survey.

Q Why do you Continue to support citizen participation via Subcommittees, Commissions, and Task Forces?

A I believe involving as many citizens into the into the process you ultimately get a better result.  It may be a slower process, but it is worth it; you tend to get better solutions, and stronger support.  Two good cases are the Building Height Subcommittee and the Town Center subcommittee. In the case of the Building Height Subcommittee, the recommended zoning change passed both the Planning Commission and City Council with little comment as it had been vetted at many public meetings.

Q What do you mean, "Answer to nobody but you—the residents, ensuring a transparent, fair and ethical City government"?

A Just look at my record on the City Council and Planning Commission. I listen to the Staff reports and recommendation,  Public Comments, and fellow colleagues discussions and vote based on all the input.  In addition, I am a proponent of retaining the use of Task Forces, Subcommittees and all other form of citizen input.

Q How are you going to continue to clean-up our beaches and waters

A I will continue the quest for clean beaches and waters and go after funding from whatever sources we can find.  As many of you know, we have little direct control as the beaches are owned by the county or state, and some of our pollution comes from upstream on San Juan and Salt Creek.  Two good examples are the grants obtained in conjunction with the city to study pollution at Doheny Beach and Baby Beach, and the grant to build the Salt Creek Urban Runoff Treatment Facility which won an award for the Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA)