David “Zuma Dogg” Saltsburg is a community activist and economist who has worked in the radio industry.
Daily Bruin: Why are you running for mayor?
David Saltsburg: It all started when I was a vendor at Venice. The city passed a law that said that you can’t sell stuff. I felt it was unconstitutional and I went to City Hall to tell them this. I went down to protest and I heard many complaints ranging from concerns about the Los Angeles Unified School District to elderly concerns, and people asked me to speak about them. So I went to City Hall on a daily basis and I saw fraud, waste and abuse.
The city of Los Angeles under (Mayor Antonio) Villaraigosa is nothing but a corruption factory. He’s taking money from the community. As someone the city was rallying behind, I felt that I needed to do something. So I called the radio and wrote blogs. And now I’ve got so many people that know me, I put my name on the ballot. I’ve also spent three years attending a majority of the (city) council meetings and I have a 14-point plan for method management to improve efficiency and manage waste.
DB: What are the most important issues facing Los Angeles right now?
DS: Fraud, waste and abuse. The city can’t afford this and (the city government) gets paid for wastefulness. The biggest problem is the retaliatory anti-community spirit; 400 people might say that they’re against a project, but the mayor approves it anyways. Nothing can be accomplished with this spirit because you’ll pilfer the community. It’s the city hall versus the residents of Los Angeles.
Another issue is the abuse of public money that is supposed to help the community through non-profit (organizations). There’s no accountability once the money goes to the non-profits, and since there’s no money, the community falls into disrepair.
Traffic’s also gridlocked.
DB: How has Villaraigosa addressed or not addressed these issues?
DS: The city has no accountability. With the traffic problem, the mayor put in left-hand turn signals at intersections, but these don’t work.
The auto sensors for these check motion, and if you’re not moving, you barely get a chance to make (the light). Then pedestrians don’t get a chance to cross the street and it’s more dangerous.
As mayor, I will fix left-hand turn signals, widen roads and pull 18-wheel trucks off the road during certain hours.
I’d also do much more with mass transit. We need more and better buses.
DB: From where have you received funding and how has this affected your campaign?
DS: I have not received any funding, but I think I’m the most grassroots candidate for the people. I walk the streets and people know who I am. I go on radio and television and attend council meetings. I may not have the money to reach people with ads, but I reach them through media opportunities.
DB: What experience in your track record can you point to that suggests that you have the leadership skills and understanding of issues or infrastructure necessary to be an effective mayor?
DS: They don’t teach you to be mayor in textbooks. I’ve been to (city) council meetings and talked to thousands of people. I have a knack for leadership, and I’ve also learned compassion and learned from Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s 14-point plan, which reduces bureaucracy and empowers employees.
I’m basically a voice of the community.