State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who represents Culver City, today announced his strong support for Göran Eriksson’s City Council bid on Tuesday, April 12.
“He is informed, engaged, and sees the big picture,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas said. “I look forward to working with him to nurture Culver City’s excellent quality of life, its vibrant economy, and its top-notch schools.”
Mr. Eriksson characterized the Assemblyman’s support as an important validation of his ability to work with state representatives to address key issues affecting Culver City.
“Dealing with the issue of fracking and proper regulation drilling in the Inglewood Oil Field can only be accomplished by working closely with the state,” Mr. Eriksson said.
“Regardless of what Culver City chooses to do, we control only 10 percent of the oil field. The state that regulates the activities at the site.
“Sebastian’s endorsement signals that he believes I am the best candidate to work with him at the state level to address challenges our city simply cannot tackle alone.”
When elected, Mr. Eriksson said he plans to work with Mr. Ridley-Thomas to create a partnership between the city and the state to tackle such thorny issues as rental assistance for the city’s most disadvantaged residents, regional water concerns and job creation.
“It is vital that we have a good working relationship not only with the cities around us but also with the state, which controls funding for our schools and numerous programs that are important to the residents of Culver City,” Mr. Eriksson said.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas’s support is another high-profile endorsement for the longtime Culver City resident and small business owner who has also earned the support of numerous local organizations, including the Culver City Firefighters Association.
To date, Eriksson has received the endorsement of four of the five sitting City Council members – Mayor Mehaul O’Leary, Vice Mayor Andy Weissman and Councilmembers Jeff Cooper and Jim Clarke – as well as former mayors Steve Gourley, Scott Malsin and Ed Wolkowitz.
“These people know exactly what it takes to effectively lead,” Mr. Eriksson said.
Councilman Clarke said that he was impressed with Mr. Eriksson’s work as the chair of the city’s Finance Advisory Committee.
“Göran’s depth of knowledge on every issue he attacks is very, very apparent,” said Councilman Cooper, adding, “We are like-minded in keeping our city fiscally responsible.”
Water advocate Scott Houston, a member of the West Basin Municipal Water District board, has endorsed Mr. Eriksson.
“In a position of leadership, you have to look at the vision and the future of the city,” said Mr. Houston. “Göran brings good ideas and solid planning to the table,” said Houston.
A video sampling of comments from supporters is available on Mr. Eriksson’s website: www.erikssonforcouncil.com/news or on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM48kx42fpQnNmlbir1g1tg
“I think my goals resonate with voters,” Mr. Eriksson said. “Being prudent with our finances, maintaining our quality of life and putting neighborhoods first are issues they believe are important.”
Deep Financial Involvement
As chairman of the city’s Finance Advisory Committee, he has led the committee in making recommendations to increase community involvement in the city budget process, update the city’s current financial policies and extend the city’s long-term financial forecast.
In addition, under Mr. Eriksson’s leadership, the committee has developed a Measure Y quarterly fact sheet and communication plan, made recommendations regarding the city’s financial transparency strategy and made recommendations regarding the communication of financial information on the city website.
Mr. Eriksson also serves as the vice chair of the Culver City Unified School District’s Citizen Bond Oversight Committee, where he helps keep the public informed of the expenditures of the bond proceeds and ensure that bond proceeds are used only for the purposes set forth in the Measure CC bond.
“I have the background and experience necessary to keep our city on firm financial footing while making the tough decisions that will guide us into the future,” said Mr. Eriksson, who also served as a member of the Culver City Advisory Committee on Redevelopment.
“I believe in protecting our quality of life, enhancing city services and sustainability, moving our city into the future while maintaining our small-town charm.
“At the heart of all of that,” said Mr. Eriksson, “is the need to make prudent financial decisions.”
There is no doubt why the city has been keen to capitalize on his business savvy – Eriksson has been in international sales, marketing and business development for more than 30 years.
Mr. Eriksson is president and founder of esi Techtrans, Inc., an international business development consultancy he founded in 1987. He also serves as chairman of the board and CFO for Euro VAT Refund Inc., the company he co-founded with his wife, Britta, in 1992. That firm is a leading VAT financial service corporation that specializes in VAT reclaim and management.
Mr. Eriksson served as chairman of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce in 2012. He is a member of Culver City Community Emergency Response Team, Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the Exchange Club, a graduate of the Culver City Citizen’s Police Academy and has coached soccer in AYSO for several years.
Mr. Eriksson is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lund University Foundation, Inc., where he raises funds for a project to curate, translate, and digitize the Ravensbruck Archive, a rare body of survivors’ real time testimony, which now resides at the Lund University Central Library. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built solely for women and children, the only one of its kind. The Archive includes 500 interviews done at Lund of the women of Ravensbruck, among 21,000 evacuated to Southern Sweden.
A more than 20-year homeowner in Culver City, Eriksson together with his wife of 30 years, Britta, has two sons, Niklas and Philip.
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com