Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Lee Fink

Current job title: Waste Commissioner, Professor, Lawyer

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Member, Orange County Waste Management Commission

City where you reside: Tustin

Campaign website or social media: www.LeeFink.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Tustin is unique amongst cities in central Orange County in that it has ample opportunities for entry-level housing, particularly at the former USMC Tustin base (Tustin Legacy). The nearby Tustin Metrolink station provides a prime opportunity for workforce and transit-oriented housing, while other parcels are inviting for mixed-use neighborhoods, as well as commercial development that will bring economic growth to Tustin. Because this is all on largely undeveloped land, it would not disturb existing neighborhood aesthetics. Meanwhile, there are numerous opportunities in existing neighborhoods to develop new housing that is consistent with the existing neighborhoods, and that would enhance everyone’s quality of life. Numerous empty lots throughout the city are available for new housing where we can maxim

With more people than ever working from home, developing new housing that is near commercial centers and community facilities (such as the Columbus Square neighborhood in Tustin Legacy or the newer housing developments off Sixth Street in Old Town) provide great examples of how we can grow our economy, build housing that young people and families can afford and preserve our local character.

As cleanup continues on the north hangar destroyed by fire, the future of that property is unclear. What are your thoughts? And what about the south hangar controlled by the city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

We need to immediately develop and implement a community-based plan to reuse our remaining South Hangar and the land where the North Hangar stood. Our development must benefit the community and honor the legacy of service. It is negligent that the City Council did not meet as the local reuse authority for three years, during which time the North Hangar burned down. The city’s outdated 2018 five-year strategic plan never even mentions the word “hangar.” I will immediately ask that the city have a series of well-publicized, broadcast and streamed meetings for reuse of the legacy area and recruit an advisory committee of community members, to develop a vision.

Personally, I have some ideas. The federal government needs to pay to clean up the North Hangar site, making it ideal for the first fully functioning VA hospital in Orange County. The South Hangar is an ideal location for a motion picture studio, an indoor recreation center or even a mixed-use complex. Outlying areas are prime locations for new housing, mixed-use development and logistics centers. But the best idea is not going to come from me — it is going to come from a community-based process to decide on the vision.

How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Tustin is already paying $4 million per year more than is required by state law to pay off its unfunded pension liability. While this means that Tustin does not have to scramble to pay pension obligations, overpaying means that the city may be missing out on opportunities to make critical capital investments that residents need now. Parks, fire safety enhancements and income-generating (or money saving) projects all deserve more investment. All of this is possible within current budget constraints while addressing the city’s pension obligations.

Long term, Tustin needs to invest to avoid the fate that other cities in the county face with emergency tax increases. We have the opportunity for economic development that will bring good, high-paying jobs to Tustin and grow our city’s revenue. But only if we actively work at it. The old Vons site at Larwin Square sat vacant for more than seven years until Ranch 99 Market opened in July — by which time the Rite Aid had closed. There are underused centers and numerous lots and buildings sit vacant throughout the city. Our neighbors in Irvine are constantly attracting new business and development. Tustin can absolutely do that — and better than Irvine.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Tustin needs to build our community to protect our future and preserve our history. That means building entry-level housing so that our kids can afford to live in Tustin when they grow up. That means ensuring that our parks and streets are safe. Too many people have come to me concerned about unsafe conditions in our parks. We need to make sure that we are addressing homelessness with compassion, bring BeWell OC to Tustin so that we can address issues of mental health and addiction and have police intervention when there are public safety problems. And we need to make sure that our historic old town is vibrant and thriving, rather than being just a “hidden gem.”

To do all this, we need a responsive City Council. Whether it’s residents who spend literally years just to address the parking permit issues on their street, community groups who have to jump through hoops for more than a year just to start a community garden or residents and businesses trying to improve their own property, we need a responsive council and a community troubleshooter who can help navigate the maze of City Hall.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I will make a good leader in Tustin because I have already been a leader in the Tustin community. I have served on the board of directors of the Tustin Community Foundation and as counsel for the Tustin Chamber of Commerce. I have worked with nonprofit organizations to help raise money and represented businesses in and around Tustin to address their legal problems. I have served on local commissions to address planning, waste management and budgets and nonprofit boards to help address homelessness.

I grew up in Tustin. I went to Loma Vista, Hewes and Foothill and have known this community my entire life. Whether it was starting the Tustin Tiller Days Parade when in high school or running the Community Foundation Booth at the Chili Cook-off; whether it was serving on the Foothill Site Council as a student or serving on the Orange County Waste Management Commission now, I have always served the community.

My wife Courtney and I want to serve the community so that our daughter, Jamie, who goes to Tustin public schools, can be a part of the same great community that I grew up in.

Related Articles