Election 2016: Seal Beach City Council
It’s all fresh faces running for two open district seats on the Seal Beach City Council, as the council members from District 2 and District 4 are both termed out. Many of the candidates are in support of retaining small businesses and historical landmarks intact, including the city’s pier.
Some have said there is division among the community, specifically within College Park West and College Park East neighborhoods. There’s a hope to bring all communities together to create cohesive and fluid city policies.
Furthermore, with the 405 Freeway expansion project on the horizon, candidates are looking to avoid traffic, congestion and detour problems for current residents and are seeking ways to address the effects of the project.
Here are the candidates:
Name: Thomas Moore, District 2
Age: 45
Occupation: Businessman and entrepreneur
Education: Bachelor of science in computer engineering and computer science, Cal State Long Beach
Time lived in city: 20 years
Previous public service: Treasurer on CSULB Alumni Assn. executive board; Seal Beach Lions Club member; president of Seal Beach Toastmasters; House Corp. for Phi Kappa Tau
Immediate family: Wife Sharon, son Evan
What are three things you hope to achieve if elected?
1. There will be more fiscal responsibility. There will be close oversight of both short-term and long-term spending.
2. There will be more transparency. There will be no more closed council meetings and I would push to require two more days to read through agenda items before a meeting.
3. I will represent residents well. I want voters to look back four years from now and say, “I am so glad I voted for Thomas Moore!”
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Name: Gina Phillips, District 4
Age: 57
Occupation: Community activist
Education: Not available
Time lived in city: 12 years
Previous public service: Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce board member and former director, secretary of Seal Beach Police Foundation, former Orange County Grand Jury member, Seal Beach Lions Club member
Immediate family: Married
What are three things you hope to achieve if elected?
1. Protecting residents, attracting small and mid-size businesses, and make prudent zoning and permit decisions.
2. My primary goal as candidate for Seal Beach City Council is to maintain those strengths that make people want to live and stay here. I hope you will vote for me on Nov. 8.
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Name: Ronde Winkler, District 2
Age: 77
Occupation: Retired; previously in public and private accounting
Education: High school diploma, some college
Time lived in city: 10 years.
Previous public service: Fountain Valley planning commissioner, president of South El Monte Business Council, board member of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., board member of Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, Rio Hondo College Foundation, El Monte Chamber of Commerce, state president for Business Professional Women’s Foundation
Immediate family: Widowed with three children
What are three things you hope to achieve if elected?
1. What I hope to achieve as a member of the City Council is to open up the interaction between city management and the four areas in northern Seal Beach, north of Westminster Boulevard, with regards to including policing, recreation and policy. As the immediate past president of the Golden Rain Foundation, I often felt these separate areas are somewhat different than the small coastal village, which represents those areas south of Westminster Boulevard and have different priorities.
2. In addition, supporting the city’s strategic plan and working to develop additional benefits for the city’s senior population with an emphasis on transportation and outreach for people who need help.
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Name: Schelly Sustarsic, District 4
Age: 65
Occupation: Community volunteer
Education: Bachelor’s degree in zoology and master’s degree in biology, Cal State Long Beach; master of public health in systematics and ecology, University of Kansas
Time lived in city: 27 years
Previous public service: Member of Seal Beach Recreation & Parks Commission for 17 years, three years on Orange County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee, Airport Land Use Commission for John Wayne Airport, College Park East Neighborhood Assn. board member, Seal Beach Founders Day Committee director for 20 years
Immediate family: Husband Dennis, three grown children
What are three things you hope to achieve if elected?
1. I will work to retain the College Park East freeway sound wall that was endangered by the 405 Freeway expansion project. If this wall were to come down, it would create a substandard street, which will degrade the quality of life and property values of over 250 homes in College Park East, as well as result in a nightmare for the residents during construction.
2. Address traffic impacts to our neighborhoods, inside and out. As the 405 Freeway expansion project begins, congestion and detours will affect the ability of residents to get to work, to school and onto the freeway, as well affect customers’ ability to reach our businesses and emergency vehicles to service the residents.
3. For 10 years, I have worked to provide four park events a year in Heather Park, secured our centennial movie and listened to all community concerns regarding health and safety. I will continue to work for better park amenities, additional recreation classes and camps; coordinate with our local police for better safety; and continue to keep a sharp eye on our city expenditures.
