What is your background and how does it inform your decision to run for mayor?
I have degrees in finance, economics, and mathematics and have worked in commercial financial services for 30 years. My extensive experience managing multi-billion dollar portfolios will allow me to take control of the $3 billion city budget and balance the budget while still maintaining the city’s priorities and having adequate resources to fuel a robust post-pandemic recovery.
Most major cities in the state have “strong mayor” forms of government wherein the mayor is also the city’s chief executive, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland, and San Francisco. What are your thoughts on Long Beach adopting the strong mayor model?
I would welcome that model, however, if someone wants to be the city’s CEO then they should be required to show the qualification for a position of that magnitude.
Emergency funds from the federal government were critical in starting, sustaining, and even expanding critical social programs during the height of the pandemic, such as language access and mental health services for Black residents. How do you propose that the city maintain these services when the emergency funds expire?
The first thing I would do is see how the federal recovery funds the city received were used and who benefitted. Many of the services the city established weren’t effective and should be reviewed to see if we need to adjust these services so the city doesn’t need to rely solely on emergency funds to do what a city should be able to do. Protect its residents.
If elected, you would be granted the opportunity to put forth a list of mayoral budget recommendations each fiscal year. List some of the budget priorities that you would recommend during your first budget cycle as mayor?
My top priorities would include stabilizing the homeless population and getting them the services needed to compassionately help make their lives better and reduce the impact of the homelessness problem on all residents and businesses. Additionally I would assess the current public safety budget to make sure that it’s adequate and if not then I would re-work the budget so we could implement effective public safety measures.
Homelessness is an increasing health and safety problem in Long Beach. Tell us about an approach, policy, or program that has been successfully implemented in another city to reduce homelessness that you would like to introduce in Long Beach.
A street paper. When I lived in Chicago in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, I would buy StreetWise, a (news)paper produced and distributed by the homeless community, to provide jobs and income and is a positive, sustainable business model providing stability and upward mobility opportunities. It’s also a low-cost advertising resource for local businesses.
In what City Council district(s) would you like to see the permanent supportive housing units needed to house homeless people in Long Beach?
District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9.
The state is requiring Long Beach to create over 11,000 housing units priced for low-income residents by 2029. Inclusionary zoning, one of the city’s most recent efforts to produce more income-restricted housing, “can be expected to fulfill only a small portion of the unmet need for affordable housing in Long Beach,” according to a city memo. What other mechanisms do you support for creating affordable units?
The problem of affordable housing in Long Beach needs to be reframed so that the efforts we take as a city are adequate for all low-income residents. To simply say that the city needs to build a certain number of units without first assessing the problem to be sure it’s actually affordable and doesn’t negatively impact the local neighborhood.
Do you believe that housing is a human right?
Yes.
According to county data, accidental overdose deaths have spiked over the pandemic, especially in Long Beach. Harm reduction has become a key public health intervention in preventing overdose deaths and cities like New York and San Francisco have opened safe consumption sites to address the problem. Should Long Beach open a safe consumption site?
No.
How would you use the platform of the mayor’s office to increase voter turnout in Long Beach?
Do an honest job, listen to the people, and follow through on your commitments, and the voter will look forward to voting for you to keep you in office. Voters are tired of their vote only resulting in broken promises, and are sick of being forgotten the day after the election. Make someone WANT to vote for you and they will vote.
Should Long Beach increase public funding of the arts?
Yes.
As part of a plan for all new buildings to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Los Angeles City Council is considering a proposal to bar all new commercial and residential construction projects from including gas line hookups in favor of all-electric appliances. Would you support a similar undertaking in Long Beach?
Yes.
A city-hired consultant recently recommended changes to the Citizen Police Complaint Commission that would create an inspector general position to investigate the LBPD. However, the inspector general could only investigate police shootings, in-custody deaths, and complaints against command staff with the approval of the City Manager. Past commissioners and community members have argued that the CPCC’s current subordination to the City Manager has rendered it toothless. Would you be in favor of an Inspector General position with the unfettered authority to investigate officer misconduct and use-of-force?
Yes.
The city’s Technology and Innovation Commission recently issued a full-throated recommendation to put a citywide moratorium on the use of Facial Recognition Technology until privacy and civil rights safeguards are put in place. Do you agree with this recommendation?
Yes.
What do you believe to be the root cause of crime and what evidence do you have to support your answer?
Depends on what type of crime you’re talking about. The reason people commit low-level property crimes or non-violent drug offenses may be tied to their economic condition. Government corruption is based on greed and entitlement, not economic need. As a society we need to focus on what we consider crimes deserving of harsh punishment and which crimes may be tied to economic stressors where incarceration may not be the answer. Domestic violence has a different root cause than gang violence and the solutions will also differ. Long Beach needs to have a comprehensive crime taskforce that can use actual data on crime to inform the public.
Have you taken campaign donations from the Long Beach Police Officers Association and, if so, do you plan to continue?
No and I never will. Special interest money does not belong in an election.
Fare collections accounted for 12-15% of Long Beach Transit’s operating revenue pre- pandemic, totaling roughly $14.8 million. As mayor, you’ll be able to appoint members to LBT’s Board of Directors. Would you support LBT transitioning towards a fare-free transit system?
Yes.
The city of West Hollywood permits cannabis consumption lounges where adult patrons can smoke and consume cannabis products, opening to great fanfare. What are your thoughts on Long Beach allowing cannabis consumption lounges?
I think it’s a good idea. We have bars where patrons can consume an intoxicant in public and there is no reason why cannabis should not be regarded the same way.
What, if any, reforms would you support to limit the influence of big money special interests in local elections?
I would have public funding for candidates where qualifying candidates would receive an equal amount, with a sensible cap, and you make do with that. Get creative and find grassroots ways to engage the voter. Stop choking our mailboxes with expensive mailers that don’t inform but overwhelm the voter and waste money.
