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To the Victor, the Spoils?

What you need to know about Jubilo Village, the $20 million “loan” to a private church project, and what it means for Culver City’s budget and transparency

Last year Council approved the Jubilo Village project, a nearly $100 million upgrade to Culver-Palms United Methodist Church at 4464 Sepulveda Blvd, which would include 95 units of “affordable housing.”  This was a no-bid contract – meaning other viable housing projects did not get the chance to compete with this church for the city contract. This includes a $20 million “loan” which the city does not expect to be paid off.

Residents strongly opposed this project, filing two separate lawsuits to try to stop it, but were ultimately defeated. 

The real issue is who was involved.  Disa Lindgren, who sits on the church’s Board of Trustees, was also Councilman Puza’s campaign manager.  She’s not the only one.  The groundbreaking ceremony for Jubilo Vilalge is a who’s who of people who helped Puza get elected.  

The City Attorney attested that this does not constitute a conflict of interest.  But it does raise a fundamental concern about people getting elected – and measures passed – merely for the purpose of feeding off the city treasury, and benefiting their friends. 

This isn’t an isolated incident.  Conflict of interest?  Or just – to the victor, the spoils?

Puza’s 2022 campaign photo
Jubilo Village groundbreaking at Disa Lindgren’s church

1. Councilman Freddy Puza  2. Disa Lindgren  3. Councilwoman Yasmine Imani-McMorrin 
4. Former Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells  5. Former Mayor Alex Fisch  6. Councilman Bubba Fish

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Why we urge a NO vote on YV “Vote16”

Councilmembers Puza and Fish illegally campaigning at CCHS back in 2022. They suffered no consequences. If YV passes, this will only escalate.

Measure YV “Vote16” will open up our schools and children to outside political forces looking to court and influence them.  Protect our kids – vote NO.

High school has been a formative time in all our lives. It was our first introduction to politics and culture. The Vote16 amendment makes promises to engage Culver City High School students in our civic culture by granting them the right to decide who our next councilmembers will be.

The reality is a bit different.

For a while now, activists have had an eye to campaigning in our school district. They’ve pressured Council to approve this measure on the ballot – for a second time.

Let’s set aside how this is going to work. Let’s assume the proponents thought of all that-how those under 18 get registered, whether outside students can vote, whether students can run for Council, etc.

The fact is, this measure makes our students a captive, impressionable voting bloc. The candidates with the best access to the school district will have an advantage over outsiders. That makes our Council less accessible or accountable.

Councilmembers Puza and Fish illegally campaigning at CCHS back in 2022.  They suffered no consequences.  If YV passes, this will only escalate. Learn more about this incident HERE.

And a voter is public record. Their name, address, and contact info would be published by the election administrator, available to anyone who requests it. It’s a necessary part of elections. That means your 16-year old child would be getting contacted – and courted – by strangers with political motives.

Is that the school district you want? Do you want it to become a political football, with your children being contacted by competing strangers, pressured to vote for their favored candidates? Or do you feel like your children should be shielded from the political winds of our city?

If you feel like our Council elections should leave our kids alone, vote NO on Vote16.

You can read more about our argument against Vote16, along with our rebuttal, on the city’s election website.