“Los Angeles County’s canyon communities and the Santa Monica Mountains are national treasures that must be protected,� retiring State Sen.Robert (“Bob�) Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) told The Canyon Chronicle. The veteran Democratic legislator is running against Lindsey Horvath for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the Third District. “The San Fernando Valley in my judgment is too big to not have a voice on the Board of Supervisors,� Hertzberg told the Los Angeles Times, noting that if it were a city, it would be the seventh largest in the nation. “I’m the only elected leader who would be in this race as of now who has an 818-area code. We in the Valley know what that means.� Political History According to his website, Hertzberg, 67, was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1996 where he established himself and moved up the ranks, eventually serving as the 64th Speaker of the California State Assembly after being unanimously elected by both parties in 2000 and 2001. Following his tenure as Speaker, Hertzberg set out to the private sector as a clean energy entrepreneur. In 2014, he returned to state government when he was again elected to the California State Senate to represent nearly a million people in the San Fernando Valley. The website further states, “Throughout his time in the Legislature, Bob Hertzberg has always been a champion for the communities he’s represented, delivering over $1 billion in investments to the San Fernando Valley,� for projects such as the MTA Orange Line, which provides transportation for working people, to sound walls along the freeways, to CSUN Performing Arts Center and transportation to CSUN, as well as modernization of 38 new local, union-built schools (most in predominately Latino communities),the Skirball Cultural Center, and a myriad of local organizations, like $5.7 million for Jewish Family Services to provide services to the homeless. The Los Angeles Daily News described Hertzberg as having a “relentless dedication and indefatigable energy...he has a reputation for integrity and perseverance,� while the Los Angeles Times named him “One of the Most Influential People in Southern California� and said: “He is a high-velocity wonk; he loves big ideas and will flesh out every one of them if you give him a chance.� The Guardian newspaper called Hertzberg “One of 50 People Who Could Save the Planet.� Hertzberg’s Political Positions Hertzberg said that while the state has shoveled money into L.A. County, the county has squandered the resources, and said he will take responsibility and work harder than anyone else to solve issues like: Addressing homelessness by urgently getting people off the streets, connecting them with services and into permanent housing. Reducing crime by investing in public safety and cracking down on illegal guns. Making housing more affordable by expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers. Combating climate change by making L.A. County a hub for clean energy innovation and green jobs. Hertzberg Opposes Overnight Camping in Malibu Hertzberg issued a statement to the press and to Malibu city officials saying he opposes overnight camping in the hills above Malibu. Malibu Mayor Paul Grisanti told The Malibu Times that he couldn’t ask for a better statement from a county supervisor candidate. “It’s a rational response to reality,� Grisanti said. In his statement, Hertzberg describes Malibu’s hills and beaches as “national treasures� that need to be protected for the continued enjoyment of many. He points out that the current conditions of extreme drought and higher temperatures, both caused by global warming, have resulted in dry fuel and a high risk of wildfire in forests and foothill communities, where conditions are only expected to get worse. “With extreme fire weather conditions expected [during] hot summer months, public safety in Very High Fire hazard Severity Zones like Malibu, all the impacted communities in the Santa Monica Mountains must be a top priority.� Hertzberg on Protecting the Santa Monica Mountains “The critical issues for our canyon communities—conservation, recreation and safety—have long been important to me,� Hertzberg told The Canyon Chronicle. “Prior to serving in the Legislature, I served as both the Director and the President of Mulholland Tomorrow, a group instrumental in protecting the Mulholland scenic corridor. This amazing area of urban/wildland interface that so many enjoy must be protected.� Hertzberg prioritized safety for canyon communities and noted that Los Angeles has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires recorded in the last decade. “I am proud to be endorsed by all the firefighting and public safety groups in Los Angeles because they know that my priority is to ensure people feel safe and secure in their homes and communities,� he wrote. “Under no circumstances can we risk another Woolsey Fire.� For more information or to attend a live event: hertzbergforsupervisor.com