Correction: This article incorrectly stated that the Malibu Times had endorsed Steve Scheinkman. The paper endorsed Laura Rosenthal and John Mazza.
On April 13 one well-rounded businessman will be on the ballot of the Malibu city council election. Steve Scheinkman an ex CEO horse lover family man and marathon runner knows his Malibu and what it needs to thrive.
Scheinkman along with his running mate John Mazza has been gnawing at the campaign trail for weeks hoping to sway votes in one of the most exciting elections Malibu has seen in years. This election features no incumbents and a vast array of 10 distinguished candidates. The winner will be elected by a minimal margin of a handful of votes.
In the forefront of Scheinkman’s platform are the issues of public safety traffic and general welfare the fiscal responsibility of Malibu’s newly acquired $47 million debt and funding for educational and recreational expansions in schools.
He sees safety as a critical issue in Malibu.
“We’ve got quality of life issues that really concern the public safety. I’m a big promoter of safety said Scheinkman, who is strongly against the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy plan for overnight camping in Malibu’s canyons.
He says the risk of fire is just too great and that safety is key. “I did that in all my businesses safety always came first.”
Scheinkman former CEO of Transtar Metals one of the leading global suppliers of metals and related services to air frame manufacturers sub contractors and operators knows that he and Mazza are the best candidates for the job. Both he says worked in business.
His business background offers an array of skill sets says Scheinkman which include financial wisdom and long- term planning.
“We have rising costs and we don’t have a rising revenue base. It is going to be very important that we have people who have planning capabilities said Scheinkman, who captained the $1.2 billion, 1,500 employee Transtar Metals for eight years. Malibu hasn’t done any long term planning.”
Scheinkman added: “In the business that I was in we would always plan four or five years out.”
In addition to his business background Scheinkman says he brings to the table his knowledge and experience of civic matters. “My business background qualifies me as well as my civic area said Scheinkman.
Scheinkman has been a member of multiple organizations. A former member of Malibu Park Homeowners Association and board member of the Hidden Hills Community Association Scheinkman says he knows what the city of Malibu lacks. “Malibu now has 47 million dollars in debt up from zero a number of years ago and I think its going take a lot of financial leadership in order to manage that debt.”
Scheinkman says he has been a member of the Malibu Park Safety
Coalition the Shark Fund in Malibu the Hidden Hills Trails Committee vice president of the Hidden Hills Horseman and a member of the Sherwood Forrest Homeowners Association.
Strongly in favor of Measure A Scheinkman says the new parcel tax will assure Malibu the funding that is needed for school programs to excel. He maintains that Malibu contributes nearly 30 percent of school tax while it only receives 15 percent of all funds. Scheinkman says he will work to ensure more equity.
“We have to do everything possible to make sure we get the proper funding said Scheinkman, whose youngest son is a student at Malibu High school.Scheinkman, who grew up in New York, obtained a business administration degree and majored in accounting at George Washington University.
Scheinkman says he originally dreamed of being a veterinarian but realized he could not afford vet school. He dropped two years into the seven-year veterinarian program and pursued accounting instead. Scheinkman’s love for animals ever ardent is apparent as he owns multiple pets including two horses Star and Quincy and a dog.
Scheinkman moved to Malibu to enjoy his pets as well as the recreational activities he enjoys. ” I moved here to ride my horses run on the trails and swim in the ocean said Scheinkman, who lives in the Malibu Park neighborhood with his wife and two of their five children.
In recent weeks a statement claiming Scheinkman is anti-family and anti-kid has been circulated through the Malibu community via the Internet by an unidentified source.
Scheinkman denied such allegations opting to look at the positive side of what he says is a classic politician’s dirty trick.
“What was really good about that was the positive response I got not from people who knew me personally but also from people who follow what was going on within the community said Scheinkman, who still carried the look of incredulity as to why someone would send that around to multiple residents and venues.
At the first city council candidate forum it was evident that people who do not know Scheinkman at a personal level appreciate his skills.
“He listens better than any other candidate said Ryan Embree, one of the attendees of the forum and a member of the Malibu Telecommunication Commission.
He also was one of the two candidates endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce.
“Steve Scheinkman possesses business thoughtfulness and skills required to protect and promote the business community in Malibu said Scott Wagenseller, chairman of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce represents about 650 business members throughout Malibu.
Some Pepperdine University students are also supporters.
“He has business experience combined with community experience said Chris Garcia, a senior economics major at Pepperdine who attended the forum.
Whether he is out riding his horse or running a marathon or sitting behind the desk tabulating and planning for the future Scheinkman is determined and committed to preserving the premium Malibu lifestyle.