Is this what’s best for Long Beach? Are the incumbents doing such a great job that there’s no reason they should be challenged?

The answer to both is no. But this is what district elections have brought us. The current system reduces and discourages voter participation.

The mayor doesn’t cast a vote at council meetings, nor does the city attorney, city prosecutor or city auditor – the only races held every four years (at the same time as odd-numbered city council district races) where all registered voters have a voice. But city councilmembers do cast votes and those votes have a direct impact on every citizen and every business. Yet residents get to vote for only one of the nine members every four years, and sometimes have to wait eight years.

Where is the accountability? Eight of the nine councilmembers don’t give a hoot what your opinion is because you can’t vote them out.

District elections have crippled this city and are a prime reason why Long Beach cannot achieve the greatness it deserves.

This point was driven home rather dramatically on December 20 when Councilman Dee Andrews sat through a five-hour plus hearing on the second+pch project, heard about all the jobs that would be created and the two million dollars coming into city coffers annually. He heard overwhelming support for the project from members of the community (and from far fewer residents who opposed it). City staff’s recommendation was to move forward. And yet, Andrews voted against it – without saying a word the entire time!

Who was Andrews representing? Certainly not the wishes of the vast majority of Long Beach residents. This is the same councilman who continually touts that he’s all about jobs. Then he votes against jobs. No comment. No explanation. Every other councilperson explained their yes or no vote. Andrews sat mum.

This is the same guy who gets a free ride for reelection this year. Can you believe it?

The system is crying out for change.

This writer has always admired Dee Andrews. He’s got a great smile and a greater story growing up in this city. A world record holder in the 330 intermediate hurdles, an All-American, played one year for the Dallas Cowboys, a Long Beach teacher. And there’s a bad side: he has a criminal record. But he caught himself and turned his life around and began mentoring young people and doing positive things for his community. And he was elected a city councilmember. Someone should write a book about him.

His December 20 “vote” made no sense. It was mysterious. Sitting there. Saying nothing. No discussion. Just occupying a chair he was elected to, to serve the people of Long Beach. Killing a project that had great potential. A job-creator project.

From the outside looking in, it seemed as if he was told to sit there and shut up.

Was he being controlled? I can’t imagine Dee Andrews – the athlete, the teacher, the mentor, the leader who we know loves this city – would allow anyone to tell him what to do. He’s his own man, isn’t he? That’s what we want in our councilmembers: gather information, ask questions, look at all sides, talk to people, make a decision, explain that decision and vote. We don’t often agree with Councilwoman Rae Gabelich, but we do give her credit for speaking out, asking tough questions, challenging staff, etc. Constituents want and deserve an involved representative. I’d rather have a councilperson who works hard and I disagree with, than one who does what he or she is told.

Is there any wonder people are turned off? Voter turnout is dismal, and may set a record in this year’s April primary for the lowest ever. Will it make double-digits?

Going back four election cycles for even-numbered districts, only twice since 1996 has the voter turnout in a primary exceeded 18.5 percent. It happened in the 8th District in 1996, reaching 22.7 percent, and in 2004 in the 4th District with a 21.3 percent turnout. That’s it.

Long Beach needs and deserves a system that encourages voter participation, that provides residents and business owners a stronger voice in their government, and that puts councilmembers on notice that they better pay attention and work hard for us.

Candidate Filings For April 10 Primary

• 2nd District – Incumbent Suja Lowenthal has two challengers: Mike Kamer, a soon-to-be student, and Janet Ballantyne, who is involved with the residents group, Downtown Homeowners United. Registered voters as of October 19, 2011: 22,961.
• 4th District – Incumbent Patrick O’Donnell is termed out but has announced a write-in effort. Running to replace him are Daryl Supernaw and John Watkins. O’Donnell’s name will not be on the ballot for the primary, but if no candidates receives 50 percent-plus one vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in June. If O’Donnell is one of those, his name will appear on the ballot. So far, three city council incumbents have tried write-in efforts and all three failed. Supernaw owns a consulting firm and is a member and former chair of the city’s sustainable city commission. Watkins is a retired Long Beach police sergeant and small businessman. Registered voters as of October 19, 2011: 22,661.
• 8th District – Two candidates filed to replace termed out Gabelich: Al Austin II and Lillian Kawasaki. Austin, a labor advocate and consultant, ran in the 6th District in a special election in 2007, losing to Dee Andrews. For that race, Austin was endorsed by Mayor Bob Foster, former district councilmember Laura Richardson and the local police and fire unions. Yet he lost. Kawasaki served as assistant general manger of environmental affairs for the L.A. Department of Water and Power and was elected in 2006 to the board of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. Registered voters as of October 19, 2011: 22,951.

Long Beach Chamber Announces Two City Council Endorsements

It didn’t take the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee long after the April 13 filing deadline to announce two endorsements.

For the 8th District race, “The PAC committee has decided to endorse Lillian [Kawasaki] based upon her vast experience in economic development, workforce development and environmental policy implementation.”

In the 4th District, PAC Chairman Matt Kinley said, “John’s [Watkins] experience in our community as a law enforcement officer, small business owner and work with non-profit organizations gives him a unique background to be a great and effective City Councilmember.”

The Chamber PAC has not issued an endorsement for the 2nd District race.

Long Beach City College Board Of Trustees

The Long Beach Community College District has two of its five seats up for election. In District 2, no one filed to run against incumbent Roberto Uranga. District 4 incumbent Doug Otto faces one challenger, high school teacher Davina Keiser. Otto, an attorney and one of the most involved members of the community during the past several decades, was elected to the board in 2004 and reelected in 2008. He currently serves as board president. Keiser is currently serving as the 2011-12 chair of the National Education Association Republican Educators Caucus. The district covers much of Southeast Long Beach, the university area, Signal Hill and parts of Bixby Knolls. The election is also held April 10. Registered voters for District 4 as of October 19, 2011: 59,743.

Long Beach Unified School District Board Of Education

Districts 2 and 4 of the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education are also up for election. Incumbent Felton Williams of District 2 has no challenger. In the 4th District where the incumbent is Jon Meyer, retired educator Naomi Rainey is challenging him. Meyer, who served the district for 40 years as a teacher, coach and principal, was first elected to the board in 2003. Rainey has served for many years as president of the Long Beach Chapter of the NAACP. The election is also held April 10. Registered voters for District 4 as of October 19, 2011: 57,449.

Candidate Brunch - January 21 At ‘The Dairy’

All city council candidates have been invited to a Candidate Brunch on January 21, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Long Beach Dairy and Creamery Historic Landmark, 167 E. South St. The event is hosted by community activist Dan Pressburg. For more information, Pressburg can be reached at 562/428-7710.