The City of Signal Hill will conduct a general municipal election on Tuesday, March 3 for constituents to elect two city council members. The Signal Tribune has asked each of the three candidates to share information to help voters decide whom to vote for on election day, the results of which are published below (in alphabetical order by last name).
The following are polling places for the March 3 election:
Voting Precinct 6450001A
Burroughs Head Start School
1260 East 33rd St.
Voting Precinct 6450002A (blue table)
Signal Hill Park Community Center
1780 East Hill St.
Voting Precinct 6450004A (red table)
Signal Hill Park Community Center
1780 East Hill St.
Assistance will be provided in Spanish and Khmer, and each location is handicapped-accessible, according to the City’s website.
For more information about the City’s election, visit cityofsignalhill.org/index.aspx?nid=81 .
Tom Benson
Age 64
Years residing in Signal Hill 27
Occupation Small-business owner
Education Bachelor of business— finance; extensive continuing education
Nonprofit/professional affiliations
Signal Hill Planning Commission— chair
National Federation of Independent Business— Leadership Council
Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce
Signal Hill Sustainable City Committee
Goals if elected Change the status quo; bring new energy, perspective and impartiality to decision making; build a cooperative consensus for difficult decisions; intelligently expand business opportunities and revenue to address loss of the Redevelopment Agency; provide safe, clean and reliable water and services for the residents of Signal Hill; and intelligently address rapidly changing revenue, services and the business environment for the benefit of all Signal Hill residents.
Platform Engage in vigorous debate with intelligence, constructively, without angry confrontation, to determine the best paths to address Signal Hill challenges— including a balanced budget, revenue generation, and consistent and predictable services— that address residents’ desires.
Endorsements National Federation of Independent Business— For more than 25 years, I have maintained my independence in Signal Hill, allowing me to evaluate issues on their own merit and consequences. I look forward to serving on the Signal Hill City Council to represent the residents’ point of view, helping to establish solutions that are in the best interest of the community. I have a history of teamwork, cooperation and understanding. I do not run with the “crowd” and will act with an impartial, thoughtful evaluation of the pressing issues.
Larry Forester
Age 67
Years residing in Signal Hill 27
Occupation Retired engineer/technical sales
Personal information Single
Education
Bachelor of science in engineering (civil)—
University of Notre Dame
Master’s of science in engineering (ocean)— Catholic University of America
Nonprofit/professional affiliations
Professional:
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)— EEC
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
California League of Cities and Board of Los Angeles Chapter
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender—Local Officials (GLBTLO) Caucus— chair
Nonprofit:
Conservation Corps of Long Beach— secretary
Urban Community Outreach (Drop-in Center for the Homeless)— vice chair
First Congregational Church of Long Beach— member
Goals if elected Health, safety, welfare of the Signal Hill residents; continued financial stability of the city; support new and current businesses in the city; new library; senior housing
Platform Stability of the “Little City That Could— and Did;” resiliency
Endorsements
Congressmember Alan Lowenthal
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe
California State Senator Ricardo Lara
California State Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang
Former California State Senator Betty Karnette
Supported by Los Angeles BizFeed, Building Industry Association of Southern California,
Apartment Association, California Southern Cities, Inc., LGBT Lamda
Tina Hansen
Age 55
Years residing in Signal Hill 23
Occupation Deputy district attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for 30 years
Personal Information Married for 29 years this year, with 10-year-old boy-girl twins; California native
Education Bachelor of arts in political science and speech communication from Pepperdine University; jurisdoctorate from University of California at Hastings
Nonprofit/professional affiliations
Previously served on board of directors for Comprehensive Child Development, a state-funded childcare agency based in Long Beach
Currently Girl Scout Troop leader of Juniors
Currently chair for Prisk Foundation at Prisk Elementary School (works under umbrella of Long Beach Education Foundation)
Goals if elected
To oversee the development of the meta-housing affordable-housing project
To continue to pursue funding for the new library, either through legislation or another funding source
To continue to see that our parks are rehabilitated as needed and made ADA-accessible
To continue to build up our fiscal reserves
To keep us on track with stability on the City Council so that we continue to grow with residential projects and new businesses
Platform
Experience matters. If it’s not broken, we don’t need to fix it. The City continues to run smoothly, because of the stability we have had on the City Council, which needs people who know the city’s history and can move the City forward, such as me. Public service, not politics.
Endorsements
Congressmember Alan Lowenthal
State Senator Ricardo Lara
Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell
