Patch Blog: Ernest Arnold for City Council

Greetings Neighbors,

My name is Ernest Arnold (people call me Ernie). I have started this blog because I am a This space gives me a chance to explain my positions on local issues. More importantly, I hope to give you an understanding of the basis of my positions—to give you an idea of the core beliefs that inform my thinking. I think this is the best way for you to get to know a candidate.

You see, any candidate can promise anything, but no single council member can make a change. It always takes three votes on the City Council to set policy.  Therefore, it is important that you know how your council members approach difficult issues, arrive at decisions and persuade others. 

The City of South Pasadena was incorporated in 1888. As an incorporated city, we control our city services such as schools; police and fire protection; city streets and utilities; and neighborhood zoning. In short, we get to govern ourselves and create the environment in which we want to live. This local control is important to me, and I have spent much of my adult life protecting South Pasadena from outside interests. 

Currently, there are two threats to maintaining our independence. One is an old one, being the 710 Freeway. The second is an ongoing threat, that being our budget. Fiscal mismanagement or neglect will threaten the city’s ability to provide basic services and erodes our tax base. The more we have to rely on taxes filtered through Federal, State or County Governments for our revenue, or have to contract our public services the less independence we have as a city. 

I support local funding for local services, and therefore support the Some have suggested we vote down the UUT and contract services like Fire and Police with Los Angeles County. As a life-long resident of South Pasadena, I feel that would be a great mistake.  

I will post my specific thoughts on over the next few weeks.  I look forward to our dialogue.