La Vista interviews the Hermosa Beach Candidates for the 2021 Special City Council Election. The vote will take place on Tuesday, May 11 for Randy Balik, Dean Francois, Randy Jackson, Tara McNamara Stabile and Daniel Rittenhouse.
Randy Balik
Contractor/Business Owner
By Zoe Howard
Executive Features Editor
Hermosa Beach family man and entrepreneur Randy Balik runs on a platform focused on city spending.
Balik graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Environmental Science. His two sons are currently attending schools in Hermosa Beach. Balik also co-owns and operates OFRS, an environmental contracting business.
“It’s a combination of all [these] experiences, not just having kids [and] having my own business, but seeing nearly three decades of development here, which gives me a lot of institutional knowledge and unique, personal experience, and each living experience sets me up for this opportunity,” Balik said.
While Balik’s focus is the city’s spending as it comes out of the pandemic, he still has other top priorities. Balik hopes to help Hermosa Beach businesses thrive, help further the momentum to get kids back in school safely and implement data-driven solutions to expand kids’ activities.
“I certainly look to be someone on the council that would be a voice for the school district and the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation, and [to] help in any way to be there through our structure and our framework,” Balik said.
Dean Francois
Retired Budget Director
By Zoe Howard
Executive Features Editor
Dean Francois says he’ll be Hermosa Beach’s independent voice by being proactive and transparent.
During Francois’ time as a budget director, he worked on federal government budgets. Francois is also a Sierra Club leader and has years of experience serving on the Chamber of Commerce, City Commissions, the Red Cross, the Community Emergency Response Team and other organizations.
“All of this experience has prepared me more than anyone else running in the race,” Francois said. “When I’m elected, there will not be much of a ‘learning curve.’ I have a good idea what type of changes may work as we move out of the health crisis in restoring the economic climate.”
Francois’ priorities include public safety, homelessness, managing the City’s budget and helping businesses recover. On the issue of schools, Francois says he would like to find ways the city government can help young people directly.
“I would like to meet regularly with students to find out how the city council could help with whatever resources we can, especially when it comes to safety issues and the alternate ways that kids travel to and from school,” Francois said.
Raymond Jackson
Retired Army Colonel
By Zoe Howard
Executive Features Editor
Raymond Jackson says a vote for him means a strong and independent voice fighting for the community.
Jackson is a retired colonel for the Army. He currently spends his time volunteering in Hermosa Beach Unified School District schools and coaching soccer, football and basketball. Jackson is also a member of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce and Community Police Advisory Board.
“I think there are efficiencies that we can find within local governments and make things better and easier,” Jackson said. “So my big thing is, I just want to make us a cleaner, safer and more welcoming city for all, and I think I’ve got the right skill set.”
If elected, Jackson’s first motion would be to give the Hermosa Beach Police Department the resources needed to enforce laws on reckless cyclists. Another priority of Jackson’s is to keep the ocean clean from his experience on Board Riders Rapid Stormwater Cleanup Crew, according to Jackson’s campaign website.
“My main focus really is everybody else, and we want a cleaner, safer and I want a more welcoming city,” Jackson said. “As great as we are, there’s always room for improvement. I bring a skill set and leadership skills that I think are unique to the city and to our city council.”
Tara McNamara Stabile
Journalist
By Emily von Buttlar
Features Editor
Tara McNamara Stabile, a mom of three, says she aims to look out for kids and families.
Stabile graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is currently a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists. She aims to have the city officials and the residents interact more with each other to ensure each person’s voice is heard, according to Stabile.
“I think approaching from the perspective of a journalist is valuable; we look at situations differently, think through potential consequences, focus on what’s fair, and of course, ask lots of questions,” Stabile said.
She has ideas such as installing a city swimming pool, a dog park and bolstering downtown businesses in a way that enhances the lives of Hermosa residents, according to Stabile. She has been trying to connect with residents one-on-one by making herself available whether it’s knocking on doors, or meeting with people in person, at local restaurants and cafes. She also hands out cookies and flyers to remind residents she is running for this position.
“Young people have unfiltered minds, they have such creative ideas that as you get older, you start to lose,” Stabile said.
Daniel Rittenhouse
Renewable Energy Executive
Daniel Rittenhouse, a South Bay native, runs on a platform focused on strengthening local businesses and protecting the environment.
Rittenhouse attended Harvard University, and since graduating, he has lived in Hermosa Beach. Rittenhouse is a founding member of the Zions Bancorporation Renewable Energy division and has helped raise over $1 Billion in renewable energy projects all over the country, according to Rittenhouse’s campaign website.
“I really think [my business experience] helps me understand the budget, just making sure we’re not overburdening ourselves with unfunded liabilities in the future,” Rittenhouse said. “Also as a business person, you’re forced to get along with a wide variety of people. I think for those reasons I’d be well equipped to deal with the job.”
Rittenhouse says that he wants to make sure the city council is doing everything it can to help local businesses survive. Cleaning up the Storm Water Infiltration Project is another focus for Rittenhouse, as well as keeping Fire and Police departments funded, according to Rittenhouse’s campaign website.
“I thought the city council would benefit from having a younger member who wants to take initiative to help revitalize systems downtown, and someone with business experience and helping the environment,” Rittenhouse said.
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