Sean Belk
-Staff Writer-
In their bids for re-election next year, incumbents Signal Hill Councilmember Tina Hansen and Vice Mayor Larry Forester will face only one challenger— Tom Benson, a business owner and chair of the Signal Hill Planning Commission, according to an official list of candidates provided by the City.
Triphina Moore, a high school educator for the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), had pulled nomination papers last month, but only Benson, Forester and Hansen officially filed papers by the City’s deadline of 4:30pm last Friday, Dec. 5.
According to the City Charter, candidates for all elected positions must obtain a minimum of 20 signatures from Signal Hill registered voters that are then verified by the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office.
Candidates with the most votes in Signal Hill’s next municipal election on March 3, 2015 will fill two seats on the Council for four-year terms.
Larry Blunden, who was appointed interim city treasurer this year to fill the term left by Emerson Fersch, is running unopposed for city treasurer while Robert Copeland, who was appointed interim city clerk to fill the term left by Kathleen Pacheco, is running unopposed for city clerk.
Blunden and Copeland, who are both considered incumbents, will appear on the ballot even though they are running unopposed, according to city officials.
Reached by phone, Benson, who has owned Bud’s Beach Cities, Inc., an auto-customization shop in Signal Hill, for 17 years, said that, while the City has “done a good job,” he could contribute more to Signal Hill’s future than his opponents.
“The City has done a good job over the past two decades,” said Benson, who has lived in Signal Hill for more than 25 years and has served on the Planning Commission and Civil Service Commission for nearly 20 years. “The reason I’m running is because I feel that, in the next four years, I can contribute more than the other candidates.”
If elected, Benson said serving on the Council will require some learning, but he plans to bring a new view to the Council with a wealth of knowledge on complex issues.
In particular, Benson said that, as Planning Commission chair, he recently dealt with a controversial issue to consider a conditional-use permit (CUP) for a proposed charter school with “fairness and transparency.” Benson said he foresees the top concerns for the City in the next four years being related to water, public safety and state mandates.
“My ability to understand and process complex issues for the benefit of the residents is probably better than others,” he said. “I think that’s one of my strengths.”
Forester, who is seeking a fifth term after serving on the Council since 1998, said in a previous interview with the Signal Tribune that he had second thoughts about running after recently becoming embroiled in controversy regarding the charter-school proposal. The Conservation Corps of Long Beach’s charter school proposal, which drew crowds to Planning Commission workshops, has since been withdrawn.
In a phone interview this week, Forester said he’s glad to have competition in the race, adding that he looks forward to “discussing the issues” in the next few months during his bid for re-election. “I appreciate the challenge,” he said.
In a previous interview, Forester said his top priorities are: building a new library; LBUSD’s new high school near Signal Hill; water and environmental issues;Â the health and safety of the city; and maintaining the City’s fiscal responsibility.
Hansen, who is seeking a sixth term after serving on the Council for more than 20 years, said she brings a “unique perspective” to the Council as prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, a mother and a daughter.
“I have a law enforcement background, which I think is a good fit for the city,” Hansen said. “I think I’m most invested in affordable housing, public art and the library. I think we need to continue to move forward on those items.”
All three candidates, meanwhile, confirmed that they have agreed to not create or post any campaign signs in the city this election season, which is a first for Signal Hill.
Councilmember Michael Noll said he came up with the idea for “sustainability” reasons, adding that campaign signs create “clutter” and negative tension in elections.
Hansen, who said she expects the municipal election to be “positive” and “low key” without any “mud slinging” among candidates, added that Signal Hill is a small enough city that candidates can campaign door-to-door rather than use expensive campaign signs that have to be discarded after the election.
According to Kim Boles, Signal Hill executive assistant and deputy city clerk, the municipal election is expected to cost the City about $55,000. Consulting firm Martin & Chapman Co. has been selected by the Council to provide election supplies and consultant services.
