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Al Adam (Thousand Oaks City Council District 4, California, candidate 2024)
Al Adam ran for election to the Thousand Oaks City Council District 4 in California. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Adam completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Al Adam provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2024:
- Birth date: October 19, 1951
- Bachelor's: Rutgers University
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Financial Advisor
- Incumbent officeholder: Yes
- Campaign website
Elections
General election
General election for Thousand Oaks City Council District 4
Al Adam and Jeff Schwartz ran in the general election for Thousand Oaks City Council District 4 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Al Adam (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Jeff Schwartz (Nonpartisan) | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Adam received the following endorsements.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Al Adam completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Adam's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Over the years, I built a life, made friends, and became active in the community. From working hamburger booths for the YMCA to participating in Conejo Valley Days, I embraced the small-town spirit. I met my wife Marilyn here, and together we raised our twin daughters, proud graduates of Westlake High School and UCSB.
Thousand Oaks has given me so much, and it’s a community worth fighting for. That's why I’m running for re-election to the City Council. I’ve served since 2012, helping bridge divides, passing reforms, and supporting job growth through projects like the Conejo Spectrum, home to Amazon and Atara Biotherapeutics.
I’ve helped the city navigate crises like the Borderline tragedy, Woolsey Fire, and COVID-19 pandemic. As a Financial Advisor and member of the Finance/Audit committee, I work to ensure fiscal stability, supporting the services we all rely on. With your support, I will continue to be a leader in our community, listening to your concerns and working to make Thousand Oaks a great place to live.- Public safety is my top priority. I am proud to be endorsed by the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association and the Ventura County Professional Firefighters' Association. Under my leadership, Thousand Oaks remains one of the top five safest cities in California, with the lowest cost of crime per capita in the United States. By fully funding law enforcement and maintaining fiscal responsibility, we were able to successfully dismantle a South American crime ring that was terrorizing our community. I will continue to prioritize public safety and ensure our city remains safe and secure for all residents.
- I want voters to remember that I am committed to protecting our neighborhoods and open space from overly aggressive Sacramento building plans. Our community knows best about what to build, where to build, and when to build. Under my leadership, we’ve added acres to our open space, and I recently voted against a project that would have built in protected areas. With the recent passage of the general plan, we’ve ensured that any new housing development will occur only along the 101 corridor, in line with residents' interests. I’ve also implemented several environmental initiatives backed by our community to further safeguard our environment. I will continue to fight for local control and keep Thousand Oaks’ character intact.
- Thanks to my financial expertise as a Financial Advisor for 45 years, our City enjoys a strong budget with a surplus. Unlike other cities, Thousand Oaks has no property tax and the lowest sales tax permissible in California. My focus on fiscal prudence has led to Moody's and S&P both awarding the City their highest credit rating, AAA. Additionally, none of our City’s investments have lost money under my leadership. While many other cities face significant infrastructure and budgetary challenges, Thousand Oaks is in a unique and secure financial position because of the fiscal posture we've maintained, ensuring a bright future for our community.
One of Reagan’s most admirable qualities was his ability to lead with integrity and a strong sense of ethics. He represented the United States on the world stage in a Presidential and dignified manner, standing up to adversaries like the Soviet Union while projecting strength and confidence. His firm stance against the Soviets and his famous words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” symbolized his belief in peace through strength and his unshakable resolve to promote freedom and democracy. His leadership in this area contributed to the eventual end of the Cold War and demonstrated his ability to handle complex global issues with courage and vision.
Reagan also believed deeply in the American Dream and what this country stands for. He was an optimist who brought a message of hope when the country needed it most. When he took office, the country was in a deep recession with interest rates as high as 17-18%. Through his leadership and economic policies, Reagan turned the economy around, ushering in a period of growth and prosperity during the 1980s. His belief in the American people and their potential inspired a generation.
Community involvement is another crucial principle. An elected official should be deeply engaged with local organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, and attend events where they can meet and listen to residents firsthand. This connection ensures that they remain in touch with the community's evolving needs and can better advocate on their behalf.
A proven track record and experience are indispensable. It’s important for voters to know that their leaders have successfully navigated challenges, delivered results, and upheld their promises. For instance, financial expertise is critical in managing budgets and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and responsibly.
Longevity in the community also matters. A candidate who has lived and served in the area for years, if not decades, understands its unique characteristics and challenges. This deep-rooted knowledge, coupled with a comprehension of local laws and policies, positions them to make well-informed decisions.
An official should also seek and garner community support and endorsements from key organizations like the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association and the Chamber of Commerce. These endorsements reflect a shared trust in the official's ability to lead and deliver on key issues like public safety and economic development.
One of the key qualities I bring to the table is my ability to listen. I understand the importance of hearing different perspectives and working collaboratively to find solutions that benefit all. Whether it's wildfire prevention, housing development, or preserving our natural environment, I believe in engaging with stakeholders to make informed decisions that reflect the needs of the community.
I also possess a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility to the people I serve. I’m not afraid to tackle tough issues and make decisions that might not be popular but are in the best long-term interest of our city. I have worked hard to maintain a balanced budget while investing in public safety, infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives.
Finally, I am a problem solver. Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to finding practical, actionable solutions to the challenges we face as a community. Whether working on improving traffic flow, supporting our local economy, or ensuring high-quality city services, I have always been focused on achieving results that make a positive impact.
Another key responsibility is working collaboratively with City staff. Building strong relationships with staff is essential for addressing challenges effectively and ensuring that policies are implemented smoothly.
Respect is also vital, especially when dealing with heated or argumentative residents. As a leader, it's important to remain calm, listen carefully, and respond respectfully, even when faced with aggressive or difficult situations. This respectfulness fosters trust and productive dialogue.
A City Council member must also be a visionary, someone who can look beyond immediate concerns and understand how decisions made today will shape the city’s future. Balancing short-term needs with long-term goals is crucial for sustainable development.
At the same time, a Council member must practice fiscal conservatism, safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring that we plan responsibly for the future without increasing financial burdens on residents. By being cautious with city finances, we protect the community’s prosperity while planning for growth.
I also serve on the City of Thousand Oaks’ Finance Audit Committee, where I work closely with our auditors. Councilmembers are encouraged to collaborate with the auditor to ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected and fraud is prevented. With regular internal and external audits, we ensure our financial operations are running smoothly. In fact, our external auditor has identified instances where the City was owed additional funds, and we have successfully demanded payment and recovered those funds to benefit the community.
We also take a conservative approach to investments, prioritizing the safety of taxpayer dollars. Our citizen’s investment review committee offers valuable oversight and input, ensuring our investments are sound and secure. As a Financial Advisor by profession, I am proud of our city’s exceptional financial standing, reflected in our AAA credit rating from both S&P and Moody’s.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Thousand Oaks City Council District 4 |
Footnotes
