Mar Vista Community Council Candidate: Melissa Stoller

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? 

Traffic, street maintenance, Santa Monica airport, and crime and policing are key issues for our community; I will work hard to understand community members' concerns and MVCC policy motions. My area of professional expertise is process and communication. As an At-Large Director, my priorities will be

• enhancing communication between the MVCC and the community
• ensuring that our community's voice is heard loud and clear at City Hall
• expanding outreach efforts to build community spirit and involvement

Who are your primary supporters? 

My primary supporters are Sherri Akers, Jeanne Kuntz and Chuck Ray.

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

I feel very strongly that as individuals and as a community we need to move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. As Green Committee vice-chair, I help with efforts to improve our Stakeholders' environmental awareness. I believe that small steps matter and can snowball. As an At-Large Director, I want to increase our community's "green cred"; this improves our quality of life and is also good for Mar Vista's reputation and real estate values. I want to bring to the MVCC Board opportunities to influence decisions made outside of our community that affect us, as it has with Urban Beekeeping as well as the planting of California native plants along Expo Line Phase Two.

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

Although I probably donated a couple dozen pairs to my Soles4Souls shoe drives, I still have over 65 pairs of shoes! Most are stored in a custom-built shoe cabinet.

Why did you decide to run?

After participating in the first Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase, my involvement with the Green Committee grew and grew and grew. In addition to being a primary Garden Showcase organizer, I now have responsibility for the Green Tent blog and bulletin board and am actively involved with other Green Committee activities. When current At-Large Director Chuck Ray approached me yet again about joining the MVCC Board, the time seemed right. There hasn't been a Green Committee member on the Board for several years. I want to change that.

Melissa Stoeller is running for at-large director, a two-year term. To read more candidate profiles, click here.

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