Update: Manhattan Beach City Council Candidates In 200+ Words
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach Patch asked each of the seven candidates running for three available seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council in the Nov. 3rd election the question show in the next paragraph. Answers came back tightly crafted and, the few that were over the stated goal, were not over by much so their answers stand as they submitted them.
Question: Given all the forums, all the newspaper articles, all your Zooms, etc., what is it you would like the voters of Manhattan Beach to know right now, in 200 words or less?
Phoebe Lyons:
I'm Phoebe Lyons. I'm a lifelong resident of Manhattan Beach. I graduated from Mira Costa High School in 2015 then attended Boston College, where I studied Economics and Music. My academic and professional experience has taught me communication, critical thinking, and creative problem solving; these skills would contribute to my effectiveness on City Council. I will ask purposeful questions. include new perspectives, and start meaningful conversations in order to reach conclusions that benefit our whole community.
We all know that Manhattan Beach is a wonderful place and our goal is to make it even better. As the youngest candidate in the race and a lifetime resident, I have a unique combination of decades living in MB and fresh ideas.
Our council currently has some members who have served our town for many years. As I continue to say, experience is valuable, but diversity of experience is better. It leads to more full and well-rounded conversations, includes more perspectives, and leads to more effective solutions.
Now in our changing world, creative solutions are necessary for our daily lives. This is the perfect time to bring a Fresh Voice to City Council. I am the best person to be that fresh voice.
Richard Montgomery [incumbent, currently serving as mayor; MB mayors are city council members who serve as mayor on a rotating basis.]:
I want to continue to serve the City we care so deeply about and, as difficult as it has been to have led through the pandemic/protests, I want to continue to lead us through the remaining hardships and the economic downturn we are certain to experience.
Public safety remains number one and as a former reserve police officer I will continue to maintain the high level of service from our MBFD/MBPD that we are accustomed to and expect. I have the endorsement of the MB Firefighters Association, League of Conservation Voters, 13 former Mayors, MBUSD School Board and AFL-CIO. Our pension obligations also continue to be a priority. But my top priority for 2021 will be to continue to guide the City through the pandemic and ensuing recession. This requires leadership and experience, which I gained as Mayor during the 2008 recession. I will continue to support our residents/businesses by providing a "helping hand" to our businesses so that they can survive the difficult times ahead.
I hope that you believe I did an exceptional job as Mayor leading and protecting our city from day one of the pandemic. And ask that you vote for Montgomery (#4 ballot).
Mark Burton [previously served on Manhattan Beach City Council]:
Here are my three pledges to the residents of Manhattan Beach.
First, if elected to Council, I pledge that the City will not be paying reparations in the Bruce’s Beach matter. As a former City Attorney, I know that our State Constitution, Statutes and Government Code prohibit the deeding of taxpayer owned land and the paying of taxpayer money in this matter. It’s illegal.
Second, if elected to Council, I pledge that the City will protect and preserve the residential character of our community by continuing our ban on short-term rentals and asserting appropriate local control. Local control of zoning and land use is rightfully the purview of our Council, not the State legislature or the Coastal Commission.
Third, if elected to Council, I pledge that the City will oppose the “billion dollar boondoggle” desalination project. It is our South Bay “bullet train”. It’s a waste of money and it will only increase our water rates significantly.
As a former Councilmember and City Attorney, I believe that I am the best qualified to face the challenges ahead. Now, more than ever, experience matters!
Trust Burton! I’m # 1 on the ballot and I humbly ask for your first vote.
Grettel Fournell:
I would like the voters of Manhattan Beach to know why they should vote for me.
I love Manhattan Beach! I care about it and want to be part of its future. Ensuring that it continues to be a safe place for us to live, a great place to grow old, preserve and protect our schools and local environment, and that it remains the small-town we all love.
This has been an unusual campaign. I would have preferred to meet people in person to hear their concerns and opinions. The silver lining has been that many people were able to join the zoom forums - maybe more than ever before. I found that I loved “zooming” and learned that our residents are resilient and caring.
Through both my professional life as a financials management consultant and decades of volunteering, I have learned to work with many people with different backgrounds and opinions. I am a leader, consensus builder, and a positive, balancing force. I will bring the community together to get things done.
I was raised to do the most good for the most people and now I want to do the most good for all of the residents of Manhattan Beach.
Chaz Flemmings:
Don't Pass on Chaz. I'm your strong voice, community member, and neighbor looking to represent you as Council member Chaz Flemmings. The Buck Stops Here. Authenticity requires vulnerability, transparency, and integrity. Vote for the most Authentic Candidate, Chaz Flemmings, for Manhattan Beach City Council. Thank you!
Joe Franklin:
Manhattan Beach is fortunate to have excellent police, fire and paramedics.
Public Safety has ALWAYS been my top priority:
YES to STRONG, FULLY funded Police Department
YES to LOCAL CONTROL of our Fire Department
YES to Strong School-City partnership
YES to COVID RECOVERY support for residents, schools and small businesses
NO to BRUCE’S BEACH reparations- yes to New Memorial
NO to Homeless Shelter in MB or RB- must be a regional solution
NO to SHORT TERM RENTALS
NO to Prop 15- THREATENS ALL MB SMALL BUSINESSES
The only non-incumbent with a bi-partisan mix of 9 Mayor endorsements
BACKGROUND:
36-year resident/homeowner
Extensive volunteer with Schools, City, Youth Sports
Current and relevant skills to provide oversight for City’s Budget and Operations
Developed enterprise-wide distance learning solutions with large universities providing detailed analysis of client needs, budget and contracts
Leadership positions with AT&T, NEC Technologies, McGraw Hill
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Happily married 30 years, father of two Costa grads
Worked on MBUSD Bond measures since mid-90’s
Pacific PTA, School Site Council President
Co-Creator of city-wide traffic and children safety programs
AYSO, MBLL, MBYB coach
Current Commissioner Parking and Public Improvements (PPIC)
City Council appointee to City-wide Advisory Committees
Big Brothers Volunteer
Steve Napolitano [incumbent]
You have three votes and I would be honored to have one of them! Folks may tell you to just vote for one, but three people are going to get elected whether you vote for one or not—think about which three you want running our city.
I offer unparalleled experience, an endless love for our community and a wealth of new ideas to make it better and move us forward.
No, this isn’t my first rodeo. Manhattan Beach is special and I’m running again to keep it that way. I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve served our community for over 25 years. I don’t want us to be Santa Monica or LA, I want to keep the “Beach” in Manhattan Beach.
I fully funded our police and fire and reopened City Hall 5 days a week. I supported miles of new bike routes, cut unnecessary spending and staff, installed new public art across the city and invested millions in our school district.
Today, we face unprecedented challenges. Experience matters. Leadership matters. Four years ago, I ran to listen to our residents, get our city working again, get things done and provide independent, common sense leadership. Please join our campaign at stevenapolitano.com!
This article originally appeared on the Manhattan Beach Patch
