Brandon,

Thanks for coming on my blog and agreeing to take my questions.

What made you decide to run for city council?

Brandon,

How have you been learning about the needs of your city? Do you serve on any city committees or frequently attend council meetings?

Brian, thanks for having me on.

I believe in public service . Always have.

An aspiration that I shared with my best friend growing up at Westlake High School before his death at the age of 19. Together, we knew that civic engagement is what makes good government.

I was raised in Thousand Oaks. I went to school here. I run my business here. I volunteer in local non-profits here.

I have always been a member of this community.

Brandon,

What local nonprofits do you work with and in what capacity do you serve them?

Brandon,

Obviously your friend was a big influence on you. How did his life and death influence your views towards public service?

Brandon,

I am glad that young people get involved by running for office. What do you say to people when they question why someone your age is running for office?

As a volunteer. Just yesterday I was at the Conejo Free Clinic which provides access to medical and legal services. This is a great local nonprofit serving Thousand Oaks.

In addition, I serve on the investment committee of a nearly billion-dollar community endowment that provides education, health and senior services throughout California.

What endowment board do you serve on?

We became interested in public service together and inspired each other to further that interest. Especially around civi engagement.

His death was a life-changing event, but I'm proud to be able to continue his legacy.

Where did you learn about your proposed 311 idea? What other cities use it?

I have energy and ideas. It's a privilege to be in a position to run.

Are you opposed to the 50 foot bronze statue of Alex Fiore being considered?

Brandon,

How is your fundraising going?

Brandon,

Have you asked for the endorsements from any labor unions or asked for money from any developers that have business before the city?

Masonic Homes Endowment Fund

I've been researching the local government best practices and speaking with people in the community. It seems there is a need. A few cities that have successfully implemented a 311 number are Riverside, San Jose, and San Francisco.

Brian, sorry for the delay. My computer is slow right now.

Fundraising is going well. I'm humbled by the level of support. Our grassroots online campaign has been outstanding!

Brandon,

Do you think your city is business friendly? What changes do you think could help bring more jobs to the area?

So far our campaign is in it's early stages. I have neither asked for endorsement from labor unions or contributions from developers.

Brandon,

Will you be voting for the term limits initiative for the Thousand Oaks City Council?

So far we've received endorsements from 12 different organizations and respected members of the community which we will make available shortly. I promise, Brian, you will be the first to get the scoop.

Brandon,

Sorry for my typing. I am using a phone to post my questions. Will you ask for endorsements or donations from labor unions or developers?

One of the pillars of my campaign is a proposed program to finance clean energy upgrades to Thousand Oaks homes and business. We believe this is a promising new catalyst for job creation in an otherwise struggling economy.

The larger issue is how do you plan on maintaining the trust with a cynical public that often feels politicians are being bought?

How do you plan to pay for clean energy investments?

I do believe in term limits. However, I think this is a simple solution. We don't need simple solutions right now. If term limits solved all our problems, Sacramento would be functional.

We maintain the public trust by including the community in the decision-making process. This is why we need to provide apps to make it easier to become engaged.

The proposed clean energy investment plan would utilize the state CSI and federal PACE program at no cost to Thousand Oaks taxpayers.

Brandon,

You believe in term limits but you will be voting against them?

I'm still studying whether that specific ballot initiative is the best solution for Thousand Oaks.

Brandon,

Your biography mentions you write about finances and economics. Can you post a link to a recent article that relates to government finances?

Brandon,

How well is your city government working with your school district? What specific tasks or policies would you like to see them work together on more?

Brandon,

Can you share with us some of the teachers from Westlake High School and Pepperdine that had a lasting influence on you?

Here's a link to the AJCS index online. www.utsa.edu/ajcs/ajcs2.doc

I presented this paper at the American Association for Chinese Studies. My latest paper will be presented at Wake Forest University, North Carolina on October 16. I'll be sure to send you and your readers a link.

The City Council's number one priority should be its schools. It's important that we seek more resource sharing and community partnerships to bring people and money into our school district.

This community is fortunate to has the best public school teachers and administrators. I'm personally grateful for Ms. Christina Harrison and Mr. Mike Lynch for instilling in me the importance of public service and Principals Ron Lapari and Lou Lichtl for there educational support. It's with great pleasure that I received Principals Lapari and Lichtl's endorsements in my campaign for Thousand Oaks City Council.

Brandon,

Thanks for taking your time to come on my blog and take my questions. Keep us update on your campaign by sending me the HTML for a like box, photographs from your events, and any youtube videos that are created for your campaign.

Thanks for your time and have a good night.

Thanks Brian.

You're providing a great forum for Ventura County and Thousand Oaks residents looking to become involved in their community.

My campaign joins you in these efforts.

I also want to thank all my supporters from Thousand Oaks who logged on tonight!!!

-Brandon Millan for City Council

www.BrandonMillan.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Brandon-Millan/138445089521417?ref=sgm

If Brandon thinks that schools should be the number one priority, then he should run for school board, not city council.

Cities live or die by their revenues and a city overloaded with low earners due to a poor education system is doomed to become the kind of place you don't want live, let alone visit.

Cities have other major priorities but their schools are up there among them and good schools can do as much or more for a city's future than anything else.

I agree with a.person. If he wants to reform the schools (and I agree they need it - big time), he should run for the school board. Not a chance, this guy.

Brandon has talked about other issues as well. Take a look at his facebook page and his website, he has quite comprehensive platform.

Bottom line, the guy cares about schools AND other things. He can walk and chew gum at the same time.

The point is he will have absolutely no role, responsibility, or authority involving the schools or any policies related to the schools. So, he can talk about them all he wants, but to make any real substantive changes at the school district he will have to be on the school board.

Can you read and chew gum at the same time?

Good cities play a role, have responsibility, and authority involving the schools and any policies related to the schools.

In America more children get shot walking back and forth to school than police officers get shot on or off duty. Thousand Oaks pays for crossing guards. They do many many things. Communities play a huge role in schools and school play a huge role in communities. Housing values, corporate recruitment, bond ratings, insurance costs, city revenues just to name a few.

Remember Brandon is speaking to the citizens of Thousand Oaks a very well educated community.

Give me one concrete example, Nobody, where cities play a direct role in affecting policies of the local school districts. I agree with you that good schools make a difference in the quality of life in a community. I'm just saying that Brandon will not be involved in changing anything having to do with the public school system. If he thinks he will, he's kidding himself.

Here are a few concrete examples of how a city can play a direct role in affecting policies of the local school district:

The Thousand Oaks City Council voted in 2007 to create a new program for the high schools called "School Resource Officer."

The city of Thousand Oaks spent $100,000 trying to pass measure B which the teacher's union was opposed to.

They pay for crossing guards.

They pay for after school educational programs.

They pay for the arts center where children from the schools perform.

Brandon better be involved with changing the school system if he's on the city council that's a big thing around here.

Brandon is a great promising leader. I support him in his quest to bring
needed energy to our 2010 City Council election. Young talented citizens are the
future of Thousand Oaks and this coming election is our opportunity to speak up.
Vote on November 2, 2010
Frank Akrey
President Conejo Valley Days
City Council Candidate
Nobody should get a statue made in this town, it's all for one and one for all.