By Naomi Tsuang
Online News Editor
The Manhattan Beach Council of Parent Teacher Associations presented the fourth and final Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Forum this morning in Costa’s small theater, in order to inform residents of the candidates running for City Council on March 7.
Paul Silva, a Beach Reporter columnist, moderated the forum which gave Manhattan Beach residents the opportunity to ask the eight City Council candidates questions regarding their views on topics such as the relationship between the city and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District and the candidates’ goals for the city and community if they were to be elected.
“It is important to engage our local candidates in a discussion about what their vision is for Manhattan Beach, and which candidates are committed to our schools being a top priority,” Costa PTA Legislation Representative Stacey Fishman said.
Photos: City Council Candidates answer residents’ questions
It is important to engage our local candidates in a discussion about what their vision is for Manhattan Beach, and which candidates are committed to our schools being a top priority,” Costa PTA Legislation Representative Stacey Fishman said
The MBPTA Council has hosted forums before, including the Meet Your Lawmakers Forum which has taken place at Costa for the past two years. Community members spoke with California senators and assemblymen to discuss budget issues, public education and Common Core implementation.
“Local government affects constituents on a daily basis,” Fishman said. “[The] MBPTA Council has historically hosted candidates forums. After two years of “Meet Your Legislators” we wanted to focus on local government this year.”
The candidates running for the three open City Council positions are City Councilmember Mark Burton; former mayor Tony D’Errico; former Councilmembers Richard Montgomery and Steve Napolitano; and first time City Council candidates Chris Conaway, Nancy Hersman, Joseph Ungoco and Diane Wallace.
“Forums give certain groups an opportunity to hear from candidates in an environment where people ask all of the questions and get responses,” Hersman said. “The forum really is an opportunity to compare [each candidate’s] answers.”
Link: Find out more information on the March 7 election
Different organizations within Manhattan Beach hosted three other candidate forums. The Manhattan Beach Residents Association hosted a forum on Feb. 2, American Martyrs Church hosted a forum on Feb. 9 and the Manhattan Beach Older Adults Program hosted a forum on Feb. 16.
“The forum will benefit voters with the upcoming city council election to be better informed and educated on the issues that affect our town and specifically our public schools,” MBPTA Council President Rachel Disser said. “Hearing where the candidates stand on issues will empower the voters to make a well informed decision of who they choose to lead our town.”
Link: View the map of all of the polling places for the March 7 election
The MBPTA Council plans to host more forums for future local elections and discussions, Disser said. Voters will cast their ballots for City Council elections on March 7.
“It is important that Manhattan Beach residents attend the forum so that they can be better informed on where the candidates stand on issues that will affect them in our town,” Disser said. “It is an opportunity to hear the candidates ideas, opinions and plans to lead our community and how they plan to support our local schools.”
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