A new attitude of efficiency must become a permanent part of the culture of City Hall. I reject the idea that the private sector invariably does it better than government just as I reject the notion that public sector employees will not cooperate or that they are simply unable to work as hard. We can do an awful lot better. If you are a city worker and your elected boss acts more like Michael Scott than Michael Dell then……………       

THE FISCAL PROBLEM

” The best way to do something is the most efficient way,”says Tomas. “In our small business and at our home, we have always stuck to a budget and kept the books balanced. This is not just a tea party issue. I treat tax payers’ money as if it were my own.”

“My grandfather used to say you could throw money at something all day long and it wouldn’t fix it. We have literally been throwing money at the City of Los Angeles for years now, and its execution of its mission is actually getting worse.”

“I, as a volunteer and organizer have completed many greening, beautification and educational projects for a fraction of what the city has spent on similar ones.  Streamlining government processes will allow us to cut costs and add to front line services. I do this all the time.”Tomas O’ Grady

There is actually nothing wrong with big government. There is everything wrong with bad government. This city should be compassionate. We ought to help the less fortunate. We ought to have free libraries.  However, Tomas O’ Grady simply insists that we deliver those services as efficiently as the private sector. It’s possible. Anything’s possible if we work together and leave our egos at the door.

UNSUSTAINABLE PENSIONS

“We have a crippling and catastrophic pension crisis looming. The current pension programs for the DWP and others are simply unsustainable. Look at the numbers. We can’t afford to fund these pensions, period,” says Tomas.

Proper and courageous leader ship in City Hall would have prevented this crisis.

Any politician can, as our well-liked incumbent has, dole out raises, huge pensions, city cars, perks and accolades with no regard for how they are paid for.

It will now take a leader to tell the truth. A leader who is more concerned with the City’s future than their own.  Our incumbent council person, an endearing optimist for sure, tells his constituents to continue to love and enjoy Los Angeles. That in our current trajectory is looking increasingly impossible. He is right though. We can continue to love and enjoy Los Angeles, if we make the hard choices now.

“If we continue on this trajectory, civilian pension costs will grow to $769 million by 2015.” Tomas O’Grady

Tomas O’ Grady has pledged, if elected, to address the pension issue squarely, aggressively and immediately.

CHANGE STARTS AT HOME

“First order is to get your own house in order. You can’t ask others in the city to reduce their compensation when you yourself have failed to do so. You have no credibility. Without credibility, you are unable to lead. Dr. King was at the front of the crowd at Selma.” Tomas O’Grady

Tomas O’Grady commits to halve the City Council office staff, currently at 20, to force efficiency. Necessity is the mother of invention.  They are falling over each other.

“Does a councilman really need a 20 person entourage? Director of Sister Cities, Deputy district director? District director? Deputy of arts and culture? Arts and culture deputy? We need more teachers in our classrooms, more police on the streets, more front line resources! We need our potholes filled. We need our commercial area sidewalks steam cleaned. We need less council office.” Tomas O’Grady

“The average salary in CD4 hovers around $50,000. Council members themselves earn $178,789 per annum. That is incredible.  And we wonder why the various city unions resist cuts. The politicians, who are asking them to do so, have zero credibility. Lead by example. There is a reason why folks show up to volunteer at the King Middle School Garden every week. I am asking them to do what I do myself.”Tomas O’ Grady