Menji, telecommunications employee

Name: Menji

Neighborhood: Koreatown

Job: Telecommunications employee

Age: 28

What are the top issues facing LA?

Transportation is absolutely awful. However, the greatest issue has to be the current economic state. I know that it's a national thing but it really seems to be affecting Los Angeles. 

What should Mayor Garcetti do to address your top priorities?

The Mayor needs to implement some form of budget cuts. If he's already planning on doing that then he needs to focus on the distribution of money. It makes no sense that there are some people who work certain jobs that get paid more than people like me. The economic situation of Los Angeles right now is horrid. There's no reason that our roads can't be fixed and that the school system can't be funded. Also, the fact that there are rumors of a tax increase of over 10% is unfathomable. Do they seriously think we have the money to afford that? And, where would this money even go? I can't afford it.

Did you vote in the May election?

I had recently moved back down here from Northern California so I didn't vote in the election because I had yet to really focus on the current problems of LA and get to know the candidates. 

How do these issues directly impact you, specifically the current economic situation?

I'm out here working long hours just trying to stay afloat. The greatest impact is the fact that the economic situation indirectly causes so many other problems in LA, for example education and transportation. It's hard times for everyone so I just hope that we can see the Mayor input some changes.

Reach Contributor Caroline Deisley here.