Interview: Claremont City Council Candidate Michael Maglio

Conducted via email, response received Friday, March 2.

Foothill Cities:
In a previous blog, I highlighted the inventiveness of your YouTube video. What was the inspiration for this?

Michael Maglio:
The idea for shooting a video came from a member of the our church, Granite Greek Community Church, in Claremont. Wes Ashmore of 12th Street Productions, an Ontario based company, shot the video for the campaign. Once Wes forwarded the video to our web master, Tony Spore (who is another member of our local church), it was posted on YouTube. Tony has used YouTube to post events at the church such as The Living Nativity, a Christmas outreach program we produce each year. The posting was intended to reach the internet community at the colleges and around the city as a whole. The YouTube video and Maglio campaign has now become conversation on a Washington DC blog, as well.

FC:
In your candidate statement in the paper, you made mention of the fact that you are from south Claremont. What significance do you think this has—are there specific issues that residents from this area would like to see addressed that aren't being addressed right now?

MM:
The significance is great since there has never been a city council person elected from the south Claremont area. Residents in the area feel there is higher crime in south Claremont and we need increased police patrols. I will tell you that when people call the police the response is great. They are on scene in less than the five minute goal and multiple units arrive very quickly thereafter. However, I would propose to add another patrol in the south Claremont area. To do this the city will need to fund the additional officer. I have the endorsement of the Claremont Police Officers Association. During the interview for this endorsement, I discussed this issue and adding an additional patrol unit is the solution both the police and residents can support.

FC:
Do you know the current amount of the City's unfunded employee retirement and health care obligations? Do you think this is a significant concern?

MM:
My understanding is that the number is about 11 million dollars, comprised of six million for police and the remaining five million for other city staff. The city made a one million dollar payment with reserves from the last budget. Anytime you owe 11 million dollars this is a significant concern, especially for a city that needs to build parks, a police station, and look at the possibility of buying a water company in the future. As I understand it, the city borrowed the funds from a third party to pay PERS debt at a lower interest rate than the PERS interest rate. If creative financing like this saves the city money it is a good idea.

FC:
Claremont hired Valley Vista to run the City's trash transfer station, despite Pomona's ongoing lawsuit against the company for fraud. Do you think the City of Pomona's support for selling the Pomona Valley Protective Association land could be payback for Claremont's support of Valley Vista?

MM:
No, I don't think the good people running the city of Pomona are petty enough to make big decisions based on "payback". The city is more likely looking at the possible new cash flow and how to use that money to fund a project they have been wanting and unable to pay for.

FC:
Do you have any other comments against criticisms that have been made against you, etc., that you'd like to make?

MM:
Negative campaign comments are a part of the process for some people. I am proud that I have run a good, clean campaign that my family, church and supporters can be proud of. I have chosen to not respond to any negative comments published about me. Suffice to say they have not been correct, period.

Thanks,
Mike

Thank you. I'm sure my readers appreciate it, and we are all looking forward to hearing from other candidates in the near future.