12-05-08, Bruce Philpott Announces His Intention to Run for Glendale City Council in the April 2009 Election

I have decided to run for Glendale City Council. After watching the council:

1)   spend $197 million more than it brought in over the last five years 

2)   deplete important infrastructure and capital reserves 

3)   build long term bond debt that now exceeds $1.2 billion

4)   give exorbitant and unsustainable compensation packages to "special" groups of city employees

5)   impose higher fees for utility users, placing heavy burdens on retirees with fixed incomes, higher fees to non-profits and volunteer organized youth sports

It is apparent that new fiscal leadership is required. If the city's projections hold true, when this fiscal year ends, we will have acquired another $88 million in deficit spending. That means the city spent $285 million more than it took in during the last six years. Prior to that, we posted surpluses. We cannot survive much longer under these financially destructive policies.

With my background in municipal budgets, having served in Pasadena city government at top and executive management levels for ten years (in the police department and city managers office as a special assistant), I have gained the kind of skills and experience that the city council is lacking now. I can offer the council budgetary leadership that will guide Glendale back to its historical roots of being fiscally conservative. As the retired police chief of Pasadena, I have a public safety perspective that will promote safer streets and neighborhoods.

My background as a small business owner, a real estate investor and developer gives me added perspectives on issues facing the city. I have also taught in the public schools in Pasadena for ten years and served on numerous non-profit boards that provide children health services. This has given me a great appreciation for the value and importance of a good education, in terms of academics, socialization and character development.

The only way we are going to get out of this near decade-long deficit spending is to cut costs back to the level that revenues can sustain. We must restore the fundamental principal of "pay-as-you-go". The city council is the ultimate steward of the public's money and it has lost sight of its due diligence to be the protector.

If you are interested in this message and want to help in the campaign, you are encouraged to contact me. If you would like to hear more about my qualifications and issues, please contact me. If you would like to share your perspectives on issues facing Glendale, I encourage you to contact me.

Sincerely,

Bruce Philpott

Candidate for Glendale City Council

818.240.8949

email: brcphilpott1@aol.com