Resident Spotlight: Jacob Manaster

Name: Jacob Manaster

Occupation: I am a governing school board member. I also run a company (43 years old) called Contract Carpet Corporation. I've been doing it for 5 years. Before that, I worked at Sony. I'm a licensed attorney too.

How long have you lived in Beverly Hills? 11 years.

What is the city's most important issue? Reuniting a recently divided community.

If you could change one thing about Beverly Hills, what would it be? I would choose to change the negative impact neighboring cities have on Beverly Hills. We need to help our neighbors to help ourselves. I'd mitigate and reduce the problems we all struggle with today.

What is your favorite Beverly Hills memory? Picking up my high school sweetheart and now wife for lunch from Beverly Hills High School (I went to Uni). I was never lucky enough to go to Beverly Hills High School.

Name something you've always wanted to do in the city but have been too nervous or busy to try. For a long time I wanted to be a school board member and now I am. I'd still like to volunteer to be a city commissioner though.

Where's your favorite place in town to eat, shop, or relax? Eat: Porta Via. Shop: Not much of a shopper...my wife usually shops for me. Relax: The Beverly Hills gardens between the Montage and Bouchon.

Describe Beverly Hills in three words: Finest. Small. City.