(Robby Kolanz/Neon Tommy)

Neighborhood: Downtown Los Angeles 

Occupation: Enterprise Rent-a-car Salesman

Age: 24

What are the top issues facing Los Angeles, and why?

“Well, I think there are definitely a good amount of issues facing Los Angeles right now. I’ll just hit on a couple. I think one thing is definitely the budget and how the money is handled in Los Angeles. With the cuts that have come down on our city, it is tough for the governor to prioritize the money and decide where to spend it.

Secondly, I think the education system is definitely an issue. With how big L.A. County actually is, he needs to make sure he and his team are doing a good job spreading the money out and reaching out to all the schools in the LA Unified School District. They must reach out to schools in lower income areas to go along with those in better areas.“

What should Mayor Garcetti do to address these issues regarding education?

"Our former mayor, Mayor Villaraigosa, did a great job of reaching out and making education one of his main priorities. He paid a lot of attention to lower-performing schools in the district and created the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Being a student from inner-city schools growing up, I totally noticed the impact that Mayor Villaraigosa had on all schools. He really made it a priority.

I haven’t heard anything about Mayor Garcetti’s involvement with this issue so far in his term. I know we are right around 100 days for him in office, so I think this is something he should definitely address soon and follow in the footsteps of our most recent mayor. So, I think he needs to first make it known how this issue is important to him. Then, he can begin to give proper funding and attention to these schools as need be.”

What do you have in mind that he could do with this issue?

"I mean, pretty much what I was just saying in the last question, he needs to make it a main priority of his. He needs to follow in the shoes of Mayor Villaraigosa. Specifically, I think it would be important to hire better teachers and school administrators. This is very important for the improvement of schools in areas of poverty. I think he and his staff need to pay close attention to who they are bringing in to take over these schools and instruct the kids.

Also, I think that there needs to be more of an effort to get these kids from poor areas to go to college. They need more of a chance. Other schools in other areas, the numbers show that they are going to college way more. I have seen this because I have gone to school in the inner city and seen the feeling around me. I went to college and graduated in 4 years, but not everyone is given that chance. I think it would be great if Mayor Garcetti reached out and made college more of a reality and possibility for aspiring students in low-income areas. It would give them something to shoot for."

Did you vote in the May election? Who did you support?

"I did not vote in the election, but I would have supported Mayor Garcetti. I think he has done a good enough job so far, he just needs to keep working hard and making his name in our city."

Reach Contributor Robby Kolanz here.