The Long Beach City Council Tuesday night approved the order that the candidates’ names will appear on the April 10, 2018 Primary Nominating Election ballot, after the Secretary of State’s office had conducted its Jan. 18 randomized alphabet drawing to determine that sequence for local elections that will occur on April 10.
The council also appointed unopposed candidates running for offices of Council District 1, city attorney, city auditor and city prosecutor. Those appointments were made to Lena Gonzalez, Charles Parkin, Laura Doud and Doug Haubert, respectively.
In accordance with Elections Code Section 13111, the names on the ballot are arranged based on the randomized alphabet, which applies throughout the entire last name of the candidate.
The first candidate listed on the Long Beach ballot for mayor will be James Henry “Henk” Conn, a 50-year-old substitute teacher who is running on a platform of citywide rent control, according to his candidate statement on the city clerk’s website.
“Shelter should not be monetized to a point where people live without this basic necessity,” his statement reads. “Now is the time to boldly act, thoughtful of our future, no longer paralyzed by our fears of what may come. Our neighbors are facing critical housing challenges, possibly homelessness. We see many local businesses empty without customers; we are forced to shop cheaply online, or reluctantly in discount department stores. I believe the suffering of the renter is more widespread than what is being acknowledged.”
Conn aded that the City of Long Beach can adopt regulations and ordinances to govern a landlord’s right to set and increase rental rates, while continuing to uphold his or her right to a fair rate of return on a property.
“Statistically and politically, there are many ways to quantify and categorize our renting neighbor’s financial and social burden,” Conn said. “In the end, we must acknowledge the injustice. We can be visionaries, furthering our continued mission of equality for all. With me as mayor, the City of Long Beach will adopt citywide rent control. We will not be swayed from fear and make the city stronger for all.”
His lone challenger is 40-year-old incumbent Robert Garcia, who is completing his first term as mayor after having served as the 1st District councilmember. Garcia faced nine other contenders in the 2014 race for mayor then won the run-off against Damon Dunn.
“I am running for re-election because I love our city and believe our best days are ahead,” Garcia’s candidate statement reads. “As your mayor, I have: balanced every city budget, reformed city departments and put more money into our reserves; worked with our police officers to achieve the lowest murder rate in more than 50 years and reduce crime; brought thousands of good jobs to Long Beach and lowered the unemployment rate to historic lows; launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation; [and] built affordable housing for seniors and families.”
Garcia went on to write that, in his next term, he will: ensure police and firefighters have all the resources necessary to keep communities safe; continue focusing on job creation by attracting new businesses and helping small businesses grow; work to address homelessness and find homes for homeless veterans; [and] improve transit services for local residents.
“I have earned the endorsement of former mayors Beverly O’Neill and Bob Foster, our local firefighters and police officers, local teachers, business leaders and community members,” he added.
The 3rd District candidates for city council will be: Robert D. “Rob” Savin, incumbent Suzie Price and Gordana Kajer.
In her statement, Price, a senior deputy district attorney, wrote that serving the residents of the 3rd District the last three-plus years has been among the most rewarding times of her life.
“We have made tremendous progress but there is more to do,” she wrote. “That’s why I am seeking re-election.”
She added that, since 2014, “we” have made major progress in public safety, quality of life and infrastructure.
Kajer, a 60-year-old international trade specialist and small-business owner, wrote that her qualifications are: being a 30-year resident of the city; 23 years of experience as a small-business owner; being a community non-profit advocate, activist and volunteer; and having served on the City of Long Beach Sustainable City Commission from 2009 to 2014.
“Do you feel like elected leaders do not listen to you, that your concerns don’t matter?” her statement asks. “Are you bothered when government decisions are made to benefit special interests and not the people of Long Beach? It really bothers me, and I am running for council to put the people of Long Beach first. Recently, hundreds of Long Beach residents came out, raising concerns about a land-use planning process that will benefit deep-pocketed developers and change the character of our neighborhoods forever, and our leaders did not listen. As a council person, I will strive to include the people of Long Beach in the decision-making process, make the City budget and taxes transparent, and work with thec ouncil to do what is best for the people of Long Beach. As a community advocate, I have seen how community outreach and transparency benefits residents and results in better projects for all.”
A candidate statement for Savin was not available on the city clerk’s website at press time.
Candidates running for the 5th District council seat are, in order of name appearance on the ballot: Corliss G. Lee, John W. Osborn II, Rich Dines and incumbent Stacy Mungo.
In her statement, Lee wrote that, as a resident of the Long Beach Plaza neighborhood for 24 years, she shares concerns about the direction the City is taking regarding increasing sales and property taxes without accountability, changing density allowed in neighborhoods, refusing to be transparent in decision making and allowing special interests to have more and more influence.
“This must stop, and that’s why I am running to represent the 5th District,” she wrote. “Over the past several years, many of you worked with me on efforts to: protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods by stopping excessive airport development; promote environmentally responsible projects and inform residents of the land-use element that threatens changing the City’s character.”
Lee added that, for over 20 years, she managed aerospace finance and material operations, which prepared her to represent taxpayers as the City “grapples with self-inflicted deficits.”
Osborn’s statement indicates he is a 58-year-old COO/CFO.
“I’ll state the obvious,” Osborn wrote. “Long Beach is a great place to live, work and play, for everyone! Our region is fortunate to contain an inter-modal network for commerce and consequently jobs. Our place in this zone is the hub of that activity. With that inevitably comes growth and needs for the families doing the work in the first place. The 5th District is the largest homogenous single-family dwelling zone within all of Long Beach and as such needs protections that enhance and not compromise neighborhood character.”
He added that the 5th District’s western edge is the airport, Long Beach City College and a Mercedes-Benz dealership, among others, “with good capacity for growth, but sensitive to where people live and where their schools and churches are.”
“Our public finances are a tangled web that needs fresh eyes,” he wrote. “I will give the job the hours and attention it deserves and promise transparency and access. My combination of experience in the Army and the private sector, especially as a business owner of many years, sets me apart. Let’s not risk public safety and infrastructure needs over poor spending decisions. I will not vote for density.”
Dines, a 49-year-old port clerk and former harbor commissioner, wrote that he is running for city council to restore an independent voice for 5th District neighborhoods.
“As a former harbor commissioner, I have a record of fiscal responsibility, transparency and job creation at the Port of Long Beach,” he wrote. “As your councilmember, I will: oppose any increase in height and density in the 5th District; restore police and fire services to keep our neighborhoods the safest in the city; bring transparency to your local government and demand accountability; [and] fight for our “fair share” of infrastructure funding to fix our streets and sidewalks.”
Dines added that, as harbor commissioner, he: led the port in creating thousands of good jobs for the city; created oversight of a $4.6-billion capital-improvement program, including the replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge; balanced an annual budget of nearly $1 billion; increased funding for police and fire services in the port; and brought new businesses and jobs to the port.
Mungo indicated in her statement that she has dedicated herself to improving the 5th District.
“Over the last four years, we’ve made tremendous progress,” she wrote. “Our district has broken records.”
She cited that 2.2 million square feet of streets have been repaved or repaired and that 52,721 of sidewalks have been replaced. She wrote that her district added 2,079 jobs and 726 businesses, and her office resolved 10,141 neighbor requests.
“We have graduated 172 police officers and 72 firefighters and decreased neighborhood crime by 18.4 percent and citywide crime by 11.4 percent,” Mungo wrote. “We’ve turned things around, and I’m running to keep them moving in the right direction.”
The incumbent added that she wants to ensure police have every resource they need, allocate every dollar available for street and sidewalk repair, fight against density to preserve neighborhood character and continue to work with County leaders to tackle homelessness.
For the 7th District council seat, there are five candidates, and the incumbent’s name will appear first on the ballot.
Roberto Uranga, who is finishing up his first term as councilmember, had previously served in various capacities for the City of Long Beach.
“As your councilmember, I’ve worked to: ensure historic levels of services to improve our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods; hire 40 more police officers and 30 firefighters to keep neighborhoods safe; deliver balanced budgets and responsibly manage our tax dollars; re-institute the senior meals program at Silverado Park; make significant improvements to Admiral Kidd, Los Cerritos and Silverado parks; [and] re-establish the wetlands at Willow Springs Park and provide funding to create a visitor center and nature pathways.”
Uranga added that he retired from the City of Long Beach after 28 years of service as a recruitment officer, police impounds manager and administrative officer.
“I previously served on the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees, where I helped to create the College Promise tuition-free program,” he wrote. “I currently serve as a member of the California Coastal Commission, which works to ensure coastal access and protection.”
Next on the ballot for the 7th District will be Oscar S. Delacruz, however, the city clerk’s website has no candidate statement from him.
The third candidate listed will be Jared Milrad, an entrepreneur, animal advocate, nonprofit leader, public-interest lawyer and filmmaker.
“Born in New York City, I was raised by a single mother and educated in public schools,” Delacruz wrote. “I am a proud descendant of Jewish immigrants. I previously worked for President Barack Obama and started a nonprofit organization to help low- and middle-income families afford legal services. For two decades, I have advocated for numerous social causes, including LGBTQ equality, animal welfare, environmental protection and healthcare reform. Recently, I developed technology-based programs that provide career and educational opportunities for underserved youth in California.”
He added that he is running for city council to bring a new generation of leadership to City Hall.
“From Cal Heights to Wrigley to the west side, I want everyone to be heard in our government,” Delacruz wrote. “District 7 needs a dedicated, innovative leader who will promote thriving small businesses, protect environmental health for our children and families, and support safe, affordable places to live and work. We need new ideas, a fresh perspective and a strong voice to serve our entire district. I’m proud to call Long Beach home with my husband, Nate, and our adopted dog, Oliver.”
Kevin Shin is the candidate who will be listed next on the ballot for the 7th District seat. Shin, 35, is a nonprofit success consultant.
“As an active, engaged and concerned resident and homeowner, I am running for city council because I want to better represent the needs of our diverse district and work together to improve our quality of life,” Shin wrote. “I am passionate about finding solutions to problems that impact people most in need. After graduating from Claremont McKenna College and earning my MBA from George Washington University, I have spent the bulk of my career helping nonprofit organizations, universities and children’s hospitals fund-raise and promote their missions.”
He added that his vision for the 7th District is centered on three core priorities: housing affordability, safe and vibrant streets, and a clean and healthy environment.
“By investing in the long-term success of our neighborhoods, we will ensure our communities are more resilient and future generations have greater opportunities to prosper,” Shin wrote. “Living in the 7th District, together with my wife Elsa and our dog Winter, has only deepened my commitment to serving my community, demonstrated by my current advocacy for pedestrian and bicycle safety in central, north and west Long Beach. As councilmember, I will continue to work alongside community leaders to fight for better job opportunities, stronger families and more livable neighborhoods.”
The final candidate on the ballot for the 7th District will be Chris Sereno, although no statement was posted for this candidate at press time.
Seeking the 9th District council seat will be challenger Mineo L. Gonzalez against incumbent Rex Richardson. Though no statement was available for Gonzalez, the city clerk website did have one for Richardson, who wrote that he and his wife are proud to raise their daughters in the north Long Beach community.
“That’s why I’ve worked hard for the past four years as your councilmember to enhance our quality of life, make City Hall more responsive to our needs and keep public safety a top priority,” Richardson wrote. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Richardson, who currently serves as vice mayor, cited several achievements, including: making streets safer by restoring vital public-safety services including Paramedic Rescue 12, reducing response times in north Long Beach by three minutes; historic investments into streets, sidewalks and facilities, including the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library; supporting youth by recognizing Jordan High graduates with street banners and scholarships, as well as second chances to at-risk youth; improving corridors with new murals, LED street lights and bike lanes; and enhancing parks with fitness stations and expanding the DeForest Wetlands.
“The change we’ve seen in north Long Beach is because we worked together to make it happen,” he wrote. “I want to keep working with you. I ask for your vote so we can continue to build a Long Beach for everyone.”
Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees Area 1 and Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education District 3 have consolidated with the City of Long Beach’s election and will appear on the City’s ballot.
Although no candidate statements were available at press time for those five candidates, their ballot order will be as follows: Jeffrey A. Kellogg and Uduak-Joe Ntuk for the College Board of Trustees; and Eduardo Lara, Cesar A. Armendariz and Juan M. Benitez for the Board of Education seat.
More information about the April 10, 2018 Primary Nominating Election is available at longbeach.gov/elections .
