Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Election 2013

Following the Forum: A Talk with CD 11 City Council Candidate Tina Hess

3:38 PM PST on January 23, 2013

Following last night's CD 11 Livable Streets Candidate forum, I sat down with each of the four candidates for a brief chat about the forum, the state of the campaign, and what they thought of the debate.

Our second interview was with Tina Hess. Hess is a Deputy Chief of the Complex and Special Litigation Division of the Criminal Branch of the City Attorney's Office. While Hess has worked for the city for years fighting large banks, insurance companies and billboard advertising firms for running over the rights of individuals; she's also basing her campaign on shaking up a government structure that is too often "the same people talking about the same problems" regardless of the year or the election.

Both in the debate and the interview, Hess was able to bring up her Strategic, Multi-Agency Response Teams (SMART teams) and SMART Government proposals to streamline bureaucracy and make government more accountable. For more on the SMART plan, visit her website issues page, here. While you're there, note the high placement that transportation, specifically bicycling, investment has in her agenda.

While Hess is not an expert on transportation, one of the hallmarks of a good city official is the ability to learn and adapt. If nothing else, her answer to the first question of the interview shows a candidate willing to explore ideas that are new to her to try and attack the city's ongoing transportation crisis.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Foothill Transit Celebrates 35 Years

Foothill Transit CEO Doran Barnes credits their successes to a "commitment to community," a "spirit of innovation," and fruitful collaborations with numerous partners

December 9, 2023

Donate Now to Support the Streetsblog L.A. End of the Year Fundraising Drive!

If you’re a regular reader and you’ve already contributed this year, thank you! If you value Streetsblog and you haven’t already supported us, please consider a donation as part of our End of the Year fundraising drive.

December 8, 2023

Caltrans and Metro Using “Auxiliary Lane” Freeway Widening Loophole for Non-Aux Lane Projects

Beyond just using harmful loopholes legally, Metro and Caltrans deceptively bypass environmental regulations in order to keep on widening freeways

December 8, 2023
See all posts