The Malibu Times e-mailed a list of 11 questions to the five City Council candidates. The candidates were limited to 75 words per answer and had five days to answer the questions. The Malibu Times has received all the candidates’ answers, and will print them during the next five weeks. The order of the candidates’ profiles was determined by a random drawing. The order is as follows:
Feb. 28 – Pamela Conley Ulich
March 6 – Jefferson Wagner
March 13 – John Sibert
March 20 – Kathy Wisnicki
March 27 – Susan Tellem</>
Name: Kathy Wisnicki (AKA Kathleen Sherlock Wisnicki, Ph. D.)
Birth date: 01/15/62
How long have you lived in Malibu? 12 years
How many people are in your immediate family, regardless of whether they live at home? Feel free to mention their names and ages.
I live with my husband of 21 years, Bruce, and our two children, Jake, 16, and Julia, 14. We also have two dogs, Bella and Bosco, and one cat.
What is your education and employment history?
After receiving my bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from SUNY Stony Brook, I received a master’s in research psychology from SDSU. I then moved to Los Angeles and worked at a statistical software company until I earned my doctorate in applied statistics at UCLA. I was fortunate to work as a researcher and instructor at UCLA, where I specialized in complex analysis of longitudinal data. I currently serve on the SMMUSD Board of Education.
Why are you running for City Council?
It has been my honor to serve as an elected official to improve the quality of education in Malibu. Now I would like to use my experience to work with you on the myriad of important issues in our community. I have worked collaboratively with elected officials from surrounding municipalities to craft effective solutions for our schools and my experience has prepared me to tackle important quality of life issues for Malibu.
What makes you qualified to be on City Council?
My experience with regional politics will help me work with you to create solutions to our community’s challenges. My reputation for making thoughtful decisions has resulted in favorable relationships with many decision-makers in Malibu, the school district, SMC and at the state level. My track record proves that I will take a stand on issues in which I believe and make decisions with Malibu’s best interests at heart, even in the face of adversity.
What organizations or groups have you been involved in and how were you involved?
President, vice president, board member-Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education; executive board-Malibu Foundation For Youth and Families; SMMUSD Financial Oversight Committee; Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council Executive Board; chair, Measure S Campaign; PTA president-PDMSS; PTA Legislation chair; executive board-PDMSS and MHS; Measure Y Campaign Steering Committee; Site Governance Council-PDMSS Community for Excellent Public Schools; Malibu Optimist Club member; The Malibu Times Dolphin Award Recipient; Malibu Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Have you been involved in any homeowners associations or other community groups, including city committees?
I serve as a director for the Board of the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families, which is responsible for the funding and operation of the Malibu Teen Center and other programs to serve the needs of Malibu’s families.
In the past, I have served on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and was successful in creating a youth job apprenticeship in partnership with the Teen Center and the Chamber businesses.
What experiences have you had dealing with budgets? How about legislation?
As school board president, I managed the approval of a $268 million bond and presentation to Moody’s, which resulted in an upgrade to the district’s rating and a savings to taxpayers. I was instrumental in negotiations between the city of Santa Monica and SMMUSD resulting in increased revenues.
I currently provide oversight for a complicated budget of $130 million for 17 schools and have successfully found ways to use district funds more efficiently, resulting in healthy reserves.
What are your interests outside of politics?
I love to spend time with my family, travel, ski, hike, read and needlepoint. I try things that scare me such as skydiving and rock climbing.