Politics & Government

Mar Vista Community Council Candidate: John Kuchta

Patch asked the Mar Vista candidates a few questions to help voters decide in the Oct. 28 election.

Editor’s note: This is one of several articles in a series of profiles on Mar Vista candidates that Patch will be running leading up to the election.

 

What would you prioritize if you were voted in? 

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My priority is to be reasonable. Mar Vista faces serious issues, like airport pollution, dangerous cut-through traffic, and, in most parts, limited Internet connectivity, and sometimes tackling these issues can be contentious. I'd rather listen than shout down another voice, and I'd rather be willing to change my mind when confronted with compelling evidence than get caught up in an unproductive idea or impractical solution. I do think that we have the means to find better ways of living and governing, and I look forward to supporting community engagement as well as empowering constituents to be agents of change. 

 

Find out what's happening in Venice-Mar Vistawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Who are your primary supporters? 

My supporters tend to be people who like to solve problems: voters who see ways that we can protect and improve Mar Vista and who believe that positive change is often incremental and holistic. For example, I support initiatives that enable alternative transportation such as bicycling and mass transit, but I also care that we maintain our roads and manage the traffic that we already face. Infrastructure projects that accomplish this benefit us enormously but tend to take time--sometimes years--and this does not discourage me. Those who support me aren't easily discouraged, either.

 

What issue do you feel most strongly about and what’s your position? 

I served as co-chair of the MVCC Santa Monica Airport Committee for one and a half years with Bill Koontz, which opened my eyes to the serious health and safety implications of having an airport in such close proximity to a densely-populated residential area. With the City of Santa Monica's agreement with the FAA expiring in 2015, which provides a very real opportunity for public officials to close the airport once and for all, I think that mobilizing U.S. Congresspeople and LA City Council members to assist is one of the highest-profile challenges facing Mar Vista. However, some issues like cut-through traffic affect Mar Vistans in ways that can be more immediately apparent to some parts of Mar Vista, so there's room to work on several projects at once.

 

What's one thing most constituents don't know about you? 

Most constituents don't know that I work for a technology and design firm called Rocket Science Consulting, where I hold the title of Mission Engineer. Our relationships and projects are colorfully varied, and I harmonize the relationships between our clients and their IT infrastructure. As a firm, we keep our customers warm and dry, even in rough weather--and I expect to use these skills in my service to the community.

 

Why did you decide to run? 

In the last election cycle, I ran for an at-large directorship on the MVCC, but came just a few votes short of being elected. Nonetheless, I became more involved with the community, specifically the MVCC Santa Monica Airport Committee and North Westdale Neighborhood Association, and I look forward to this new opportunity to serve as Community Director.

 

John Kuchta is running for Community Director, a two-year term. To read more candidate profiles, click here.

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