BASTA’S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE 2010
BASTA (Bell Association to Stop the Abuse) is a community based organization formed on July 16, 2010 after
information became public on compensation of City of Bell public officials. We believe that the March 8th
election is the most important in Bell history, thus we have devised a comprehensive evaluation process for the
March City Council Recall and General Election. The process will include a this candidate questionnaire and a
public forum process to grade the quality of potential new council members.
The process will include examining candidates’ criminal and financial background and work history, their plan
for creating transparency, improving access to government and information, fostering civic engagement, and
creating financial stability for the City of Bell. Additionally, candidates will be asked about their views on
public safety, work protections and appropriate workplace behavior.
The grading will be done by community members based on the questionnaire and forum participation. All
candidates participating will receive a grade of very qualified, qualified, not qualified, or did not participate.
There is no limit to how many candidates can receive a qualified/very qualified score.
The BASTA questionnaire and evaluation process was created through expansive community input that was
conducted in an open forum at BASTA meetings. The process is meant to measure the quality of candidates and
not to create a BASTA slate of candidates. In fact, it will be mandatory for any current members of BASTA
leadership to resign their positions prior to announcing their candidacy.
BASTA candidate questionnaires are due January 7 so all candidates have an opportunity to participate. Dates
for community forums with candidates will be announced shortly, but will take place in early 2011 and they
will be open to all. All candidate information will be made public online, at BASTA community meetings, and
at forums.
INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY IN INK OR TYPE. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS COMPLETELY AND ACCURATELY- PLEASE
NOTE THAT AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, THE CANDIDATE MUST AGREE TO A CRIMINAL AND
FINANCIAL BACKGROUND CHECK.
THE DEADLINE FOR THIS APPLICATION IS JANUARY 7, 2010 5PM. PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION TO
BASTA IN PERSON @ 4027 GAGE AVE., BELL OR BY MAIL TO P.O. BOX 214, BELL, CA 90201 OR VIA EMAIL AT
info@basta4bell.com. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL BASTA AT (323)771-6822.
Thank you for your interest in the Candidate Evaluation process, we look forward to reviewing your
questionnaire. Please remember that there and no wrong answers that would lead to your automatic
disqualification and that your answers will be public. Please answer the questions honestly and to the best
of your ability. If you have any questions please contact us at 323-771-6822 info@basta4bell.com.
01121/0001/86772.3
PART I – CANDIDATE INFORMATION
1. First Name:__________________ Middle Name:______________ Last Name:
2. Date of Birth:
3. Residence Address:_____________________________ City:______________________ Zip:
Years at this address: ______________ Years in City of Bell
4. What was the last level of school you had the opportunity to complete?
than 8th Grade
5. If you attended college, university or technical school, please provide the following information:
NAME OF SCHOOL MAJOR COURSE OF DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE YEAR
STUDY OBTAINED
6. Do you have any relatives who are currently or in the last ten years have been employed by or hold elected or
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
PART II – CANDIDATE FINANCIAL BACKGROUND
1. Please provide employment information for the past 3 years:
A. Employer:
Address:
Telephone:
Name and Title of Supervisor:
Title of Position:
Duties:
From: _________ (Mo. & Yr.) To: _______ (Mo. & Yr.)
B. Employer:
Address:
Telephone:
Name and Title of Supervisor:
Title of Position:
Duties:
From: _________ (Mo. & Yr.) To: _______ (Mo. & Yr.)
2. Do you have a business in the C
PART III. – INVOLVMENT IN BELL & OTHER COMMUNITY ORGNAIZATIONS
1. Describe your past and current involvement in Bell or regional community organizations (including but not
limited to: business, youth, sports, cultural, religious)
-2-
01121/0001/86772.3
ORGANIZATION FUNCTION DATES DUTIES
2. List the organizations to which you belong (professional, technical, etc):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
PART IV – QUESTIONS
The questions where generated by a group of residents at a BASTA meeting and all are relevant. Please
select the 7 question you think are the most important to answer. Please include the question and its
answer on a separate sheet and please limit each answer to 500 words or less. Finally, please remember
that there and no wrong answers that would lead to an automatic negative evaluation.
1. Describe how the Bell scandal or the policies of Rizzo regime have affected you and or your family?
2. Why do you seek this position?
3. What qualifications do you have for this position?
4. What are the most important issues currently facing the City of Bell and what would you do about them?
5. What is your understanding of the City’s financial condition?
6. Do you have financial experience? If so, please describe.
7. Should the city be General Law or a Charter City and why?
8. How much salary should a council member be paid and why?
9. Should councilmembers be paid for committees they participate in?
10. What should the City do to improve transparency and better communicate with its citizens?
11. What would you do as councilmember to maintain residents informed?
12. What would you do as councilmember to allow community members to participate in the city’s decision
making?
13. How should a city manager be selected and hired?
14. What is your position on current city employees?
15. How would you help lower property taxes?
-3-
01121/0001/86772.3
16. How would you lower utility taxes?
17. How will you lower the trash collection fee?
18. What is your vision to help the city move forward during the next two years? Next 4 years?
19. How will you help bring businesses back into the City of Bell?
20. How will you eliminate and or prevent “pay for play” with city contracts?
21. Who would you turn to for advice?
22. Would you support having a community committee oversee what the councilmembers are doing? If so what
exactly would be the role of this committee and how should it be created?
23. What is more important, people’s needs or the city’s financial status? Why?
-4-
01121/0001/86772.3
PART V- CANDIDATE AUTHORIZATION
1. Do you consent to a financial background check to be conducted by BASTA as part of this application? Yes
Initials . Your financial background does not automatically lead to a negative
evaluation as a candidate.
2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (including military offenses) other than a minor
resolution (conviction, or dismissal). A criminal record does not automatically lead to a negative evaluation as
a candidate. Evaluation will depend on the nature of the offense, and the conduct of the applicant since the
offense was committed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you consent to a criminal background check to be conducted by BASTA as part of this application? Yes
Initials . Your criminal background does not automatically lead to a
negative evaluation as a candidate.
4. Provide name, address and day telephone number of at least three reliable persons, other than former
employers or relatives, who are sufficiently familiar with your qualifications and character to furnish definite
information about you.
Name:_____________________________________ Phone:
Address:
Name:_____________________________________ Phone:
Address:
Name:_____________________________________ Phone:
Address:
-5-
01121/0001/86772.3
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING:
I hereby certified that this application is complete and true in all respects and understand that any
falsification or omission may be cause for disqualification. I understand and agree to the following: i)
that any or all information on this form may be verified; and ii) that BASTA may investigate my
qualifications, employment record and criminal record.
Signature: ________________________________ Date:______________________________
USE SPACE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
-6-
01121/0001/86772.3
