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Nearly all seven Torrance City Council candidates said the South Bay town needs to balance the needs of tenants and landlords when it comes to affordable housing, according to political hopefuls speaking during the first debate of the election cycle. I think there is.
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce held the city’s first local candidate forum for the March 5 election on Tuesday morning, January 30th. Several other forums will be held in the coming days to help voters decide who to support during the election period. The March 5 election will feature the 2nd, 4th and 6th districts of the seven-member Assembly.
The District 2 race pits incumbent Bridget Lewis against educator and health director Andrew Lee to represent the west side of the city.
In District 4, on the east side of town, City Councilwoman Sharon Kalani is facing CPA Kousha Modernrow.
There are three candidates for District 6, located in south Torrance and represented by out-of-term City Councilman Mike Griffiths. One is Jeremy Gerson, a member of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education. local businessman and former City Council member Jack Walser; and planning committee chairman Tony Yeh.
Each candidate was asked about their stance on rent control and how the city could improve its relationship with the Chamber of Commerce.
Most of the candidates advocated for a balanced approach to affordable housing that takes into account the rights of both renters and property owners.
“As a city, we don’t want to get into the rent control business per se, because the investors actually have a right to profit from their investment,” Lewis said. “But the lack of rent control impacts rent affordability and, in part, homelessness.”
Meanwhile, Modernrou said, “Housing must be seen as an essential human right.”
“So in terms of housing supply, we need more housing development along with rent regulation, and that includes housing development that is more affordable for the people of Torrance,” he said.
But Yeh is explicitly opposed to rent control and is the only candidate to do so.
“As a real estate agent and property owner myself, I do not support rent control,” Yeh said. “I think in America, the land of the free, people are willing to invest what they have and be willing to rent out what they own. This is investment. This is a free market. Therefore, I don’t support rent control.”
As for the relationship between the city and the chamber, candidates said that, in general, it’s a partnership worth strengthening.
“The Chamber of Commerce is a resource for the city, and the Economic Development Authority is a resource for the Chamber,” Kalani said. “So it’s this relationship that continues to be so successful.”
Meanwhile, Gerson used his experience as school board president to write a document that became a “strategic cooperation agreement” between the city and the school district.
“As part of that, we were able to create synergies between the two,” Gerson said.
Meanwhile, Walser emphasized the need to support existing businesses. When large companies are attracted to Torrance, some of the older companies are often “culled out,” he said.
“I think we need to recognize that,” Walser said. “And I think it’s very valuable to have input from the floor to the city.”
Besides the first two questions, each of the seven candidates was asked a different question. They were also required to deliver opening and closing statements with key issues such as public safety, homelessness, and improving business relations.
district 2
Lee, who has lived in Torrance for more than 40 years, said he runs to give back to the community. He has three goals he wants to work towards. They are public safety, community development, and homelessness.
“I’m running because I have a vested interest in making sure Torrance is a thriving and best place to live, especially supporting small businesses and also addressing public safety and homelessness,” Lee said in a statement. .
Lee said if elected he would accelerate these efforts.
Lee also said he believes in eliminating additional taxes that hurt businesses.
Lewis, on the other hand, brought years of public service experience that began in 2005 with the Torrance Police Department.
Lewis also served on several city boards and committees, including the Torrance Civil Service Commission, where she also served as chair. She previously spent 18 months as a City Council member.
“I have a duty to protect public safety,” Lewis said. “I have a mission to ensure the health of our residents.”
District 4
Kalani, who has lived in Torrance for more than 40 years, pointed to his background as a city councilman.
She served more than 25% of her term as mayor and received the Chamber’s “Excellence in Government Award” last year.
“My dedication to Torrance runs deep,” Kalani said. “I’m more than just a city council member. I’m a devoted wife, parent, grandparent, and a fierce advocate for you.”
Modernru, who was born and raised in Torrance, said he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2020. One of his top issues was the Torrance refinery, which he described as a “moving hazard.”
“We want to be a city where people have a robust energy system, and by becoming a more cosmopolitan city, we want to attract more business from different parts of the world,” Modernrow said. We aim to be a city that can do that.”
district 6
Mr. Gerson’s accomplishments on the school board include increasing student enrollment, balancing a $300 million school budget, and serving as a liaison between the local teachers’ union and the school district during recent contract negotiations. It was advertised.
“It’s hard work; I know what it is,” he said. “I look forward to having you do that.”
Meanwhile, Walser said his priorities are “safety first,” including supporting first responders and tackling the homelessness crisis with a “common sense approach.” He also advocated local control of policy-making.
“What works in Sacramento doesn’t necessarily work in Torrance,” he says.
Yeh, meanwhile, has lived in Torrance for 33 years and runs to “make Torrance a better place” for her children. He cited improving public safety, promoting local businesses and curbing overdevelopment in Torrance as key issues.
He also emphasized cooperation between councils.
“It takes four votes to get something done in Torrance,” Yeh said. “I look forward to working with current members of Congress to further expand their work.”
Upcoming Candidate Forum
All candidates: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Toyota Meeting Hall, 3330 Civic Center Drive. Sponsored by the Torrance League of Women Voters.
District 2: Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm in the cafeteria of Bertlin Middle School, 5038 Harrison Street Sponsored by Southwood HOA and West Torrance HOA.
District 4: Thursday, February 8th at 6:30 p.m. at the Torrance Women’s Club, 1422 Engracia Avenue, hosted by the Old Torrance Neighborhood Association.
District 6: Monday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at Alta Loma Park, 26126 Delos Drive. The event is sponsored by Hillside Neighborhood Association.
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