6 SigNAL TriBUNE
ELECTiON 2012
Meet your candidates
MArCH 30, 2012
Among the offices on the ballot for the Tuesday, April 10 election in Long Beach will be City Council districts 4 and 8. Since those seats cover geographical areas that fall within its distribution area, the Signal Tribune has requested that each of the candidates seeking those seats submit information on his or her campaign, the results of which are published below and on page 7. For more information on the election, visit longbeach.gov/cityclerk/elections .
Long Beach City Council District 4 Patrick O’Donnell Age 46
Education California State University, Long Beach for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Years residing in Long Beach Born in Long Beach, where he has lived the last nearly 20 years
Nonprofit/professional affiliations California Teachers Association; Surfrider Foundation, Los Angeles
Years residing in current district Nearly 20
goals if elected Continue fiscal responsibility and smallbusiness support while maintaining rapid public-safety response times Continue to aggressively repair and maintain streets and sidewalks Continue to support our parks and afterschool programs in schools
Occupation Teacher, City Councilmember Personal information Married to wife, Jennifer, 4th District smallbusiness owner; two daughters
Platform (See above) Endorsements Long Beach Police Officers Association, Long Beach Firefighters Association, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Senator Alan Lowenthal, Pacific West Association of Realtors, Senator Betty Karnette (ret.), Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster
Daryl Supernaw Personal information Married to Cheryl (Hamilton) Supernaw, who is also a lifelong 4th District resident, for 32 years, with two adult children, Shaun and Lauren Education Buffum Elementary Stanford Junior High Wilson High Graduate of LBCC and CSULB for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Age 60 Years residing in Long Beach 60 Years residing in current district 60
Nonprofit/professional affiliations Long Beach Sustainable City Commission, current member and former chair Atherton Corridor Neighborhood Association, founder 4th District Budget Advisory Committee LBUSD Adopt-a-School Program Long Beach Strategic Marketing, Inc. Rethinking Greater Long Beach Schroeder Hall Area Neighborhood Group
Occupation Business consultant
goals if elected Bring business acumen and corporate business experience to city council Maintain the airport noise ordinance while promoting airport business and profitability Develop a “customer service” focus and improved communication to the way the council office addresses neighborhood issues Develop a sense of “community” district wide, and address concerns equally for all of our neighborhoods Improve business friendliness to promote retail and job growth throughout the district Develop non-traditional (non tax-based) revenue streams for funding of city services Re-establish the connection between the council office and local public and private schools, LBCC and CSULB Ensure that all essential services (public safety, parks, libraries, etc.) are properly funded
Platform My platform, simply stated, is to be an independent voice advocating for the residents and business owners of the 4th District. The voters deserve a councilmember who exemplifies honesty, integrity and utmost sense of pride in the community. They also deserve a representative who will fulfill his commitment, and I pledge to serve the entire four years and not seek higher office in midterm. Endorsements The voters of Long Beach have determined that city council is a non-partisan position. I am a non-partisan candidate, and I am not backed by any political party. I am totally independent and have not accepted any funds from political action committees. My endorsements are from the residents of the 4th District and community leaders throughout the city.
John Watkins Age 51 Years residing in Long Beach 35 Years residing in current district 30 Occupation Retired sergeant, Long Police Police Department Currently work for and with Special Olympics Southern California Education Attended LBCC and CSULB, earned bachelors degree
Nonprofit/professional affiliations Special Olympics Boy Scouts of America goals if elected Balancing the budget will always be the primary goal, but reducing crime and building business will be top priorities. Platform My platform is public safety, business and our infrastructure The East Division has the highest crime rate in the city of Long Beach, and we have not hired officers in almost four years. We have to replenish what we’re losing before it gets too late. We also need to look at other alter-
natives to how we do business, through technology and other resources. Jobs, jobs and more jobs. We need to encourage and assist more small business to take root in our city. Economic development and growth will be led by local business. Long Beach has become a corridor city, spending millions of dollars on appearance. We need to focus more on the neighborhoods where we live and deal specifically with poor roadways, broken sidewalks and other neighborhood concerns. Endorsements Endorsed by business, neighbors and friends