Attention, Signal Hill residents and those interested in local politics. For those of our readers who may not be aware, the City of Signal Hill will be having an election Tuesday, March 3. Although in the past, the City has been covered with campaign lawn signs and posters or banners during election season, this year that will not be the case.
The three candidates, Tina Hansen (incumbent), Larry Forester (incumbent) and Tom Benson (challenger), have agreed not to use signage as a means of campaigning. Instead of the traditional outdoor method of electioneering, the three competitors are instead using mailers, door hangers, walking pieces, a banner or two and newspaper advertising.
The decision to all but eliminate signage this go-round was a first in this city— at least as far back as I can remember. And although that choice is making for a less cluttered landscape, I fear that without those signs the voters may forget to hit the polls on election day. (Note: I saw that the folks at Signal Hill City Hall did install a banner at the corner of Cherry Avenue and Hill Street to remind residents to vote on March 3.)
This election cycle there are two city council seats up for grabs. Voters will also find the positions of city clerk and city treasurer on the ballot; however, since both of the gentlemen running for those seats are incumbents who have no challengers, and there are no certified write-in candidates, they are both essentially running unopposed. With that being the case, current City Clerk Robert Copeland and current City Treasurer Larry Blunden need only receive one vote a piece to retain their elected positions.
As a publisher of a community newspaper, I don’t look forward to local elections because although I have never endorsed candidates, I am usually challenged for not taking a stand and declaring who I believe will make the best elected official(s). In the past, those who have given me a difficult time about my decision to not endorse have heard this response from me: “I’ve been married three times, so I am obviously not a good judge of character. Therefore, who the heck do I think I am to tell someone who to vote for?” I stick by that statement.
We all claim to have one thing in common— we care about this city. If you do, then prove it— vote. The Signal Hill elections in the past have had a less-than-20-percent turnout, which means that we are looking at less than 900 voters who hit the polls or sent in their absentee ballots, and that is out of approximately 5,000 registered voters. I certainly hope we have a better turnout this time.
If you are registered, please take the time to vote. Each vote counts in every election, especially in a small town; just one vote can be the difference between a win or a loss for a candidate. Yes, just one vote.
Back in 2007, one of the incumbents running this time retained his seat by the narrow margin of one vote.
Furthermore, if you don’t vote, don’t complain about how the city is run.
Now, get out there and do your civic duty—vote!
The following are the polling places for the Tuesday, March 3 Signal Hill 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.
Voting Precinct 6450005A
Discovery Well Park
2200 Temple Ave.
