‘He has a true love for Huntington Beach’: 21-year-old with passion for history and government is selected to city board

Amory Hanson says he’s felt an obligation to participate in local government since he was a teenager. Now, at 21, he’s getting his break.

Hanson, along with Huntington Beach resident Mark Zambrano, was selected by Mayor Erik Peterson and Mayor Pro Tem Lyn Semeta to serve on the city’s Historic Resources Board until 2022. The recommendation was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

Hanson, one of the youngest people to serve on a city panel, is well-known in the community. He regularly addresses the City Council during the public comment period of meetings, sharing his concerns or commending the council’s leadership.

He tossed his hat in the ring for a seat on the council in the 2016 and 2018 elections. Despite being unsuccessful both times, he said he plans to try again.

His recent appointment marks the first time he’ll serve the city in an official capacity.

Semeta said the Historic Resources Board, an advisory body to the City Council on historical issues, is a “good fit” for him.

“He has a true love for Huntington Beach and has been consistently involved, coming down to City Council [meetings],” Semeta said. “He has a real aptitude for research and is willing to do research and come down and tell us things that have happened in the past.”

People are often curious about the city’s origins, Hanson said, and the board serves an important role in preserving its history for future generations.

Hanson, who has loved history since grade school, said he looks forward to attending more meetings and keeping boards and committees informed about the city’s past.

“The Historic Resources Board has done a lot of great stuff,” he said. “The members are all great and really care about the city.”

He said he also will try to raise awareness about the board in hopes of encouraging residents to attend its meetings, which are held at City Hall at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month.