Affordable housing, noise ordinances, and Olympic preparations were some of the topics discussed during the District 5 City Council Debate on May 20.
The debate was hosted at the Expo Arts Center in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach, which is in District 5. Incumbent Megan Kerr and challenger Tara Riggi answered a set of presubmitted questions from community members. Former Executive Director of the Grunion Gazette Harry Saltzgaver moderated the debate.
Before Kerr became the District 5 councilmember in December 2022, she served the Long Beach Unified School District for eight years as a Board of Education member. Meanwhile, Riggi has not previously held political office and is the current president of the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association. Both candidates are running as non-partisan.
The night began with introductions, where both Riggi and Kerr introduced their platform and gave a glimpse into the promises they intend to keep with their community.
Kerr spoke about the accomplishments she made during her first term as councilmember, from 2022 to 2026, and the connection she has with the District 5 community.
“Since I first ran for office, I held to three things: I will not lie to you to earn your vote. I will not make a promise that I cannot keep to earn your vote. And I’m always open to having conversations because adults can respectfully disagree and come up with different solutions,” said Kerr in her opening statement.
Riggi expressed her desire to fulfill the financial needs of the district.
“I’m running…because I believe District 5 deserves leadership that’s accessible, that’s accountable, that’s fiscally responsible, and leadership that doesn’t blame everyone else for their failures,” said Riggi.
The audience in attendance filled the Expo Arts Center. There were more attendees than there were seats, so many people either stood up or found a spot to sit on the floor.
Riggi and Kerr had different ideas regarding the “two most pressing issues” facing District 5 residents. Riggi expressed “public safety and quality of life” as top priorities, while Kerr argued that city budgeting and infrastructure were at the top of her list.
Addressing homelessness and the need for affordable housing were broached in several questions. Both candidates expressed the need to address homelessness by improving mental health and substance abuse resources.
“We need real solutions to focus on mental health, addiction treatment, and long-term stability, not just for housing, but also demanding accountability for taxpayer dollars,” said Riggi.
Kerr emphasized both preventative measures and the need for housing.
“The best way to spend dollars is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place,” Kerr said. “We need housing at every level.”
The debate had multiple moments of contention. At one point, Kerr questioned Riggi’s claims that she encountered a homeless shelter in downtown Long Beach that was turning people away despite having open beds.
“My opponent can say whatever she wants, and not necessarily get fact-checked, but I need to say what’s right and what’s true,” Kerr said.
At another point in the debate, Riggi called out Kerr directly, saying Kerr falsely claimed she was responsible for the Orange Avenue Backbone Bikeway Project, an initiative that Riggi said the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association did “not feel heard about.”
