Election season is heating up as the race for the hotly contested Sixth District City Council seat came to a head at a debate between incumbent Dee Andrews and challenger Ahmed Saafir at Veterans Park last night.
Both were met with cheers throughout the night, and the talk and questions revolved around several issues including pollution, jobs and reducing gang activity in the area. Andrews stressed that during his time in office he has succeeded in creating and maintaining positive job growth for a needing workforce, while Saafir called the District the “belly and the heart of the city,” and introduced his Gold Program which places importance on managing money rather than accruing it.
“We cannot have shoestring programs,” Saafir said. “It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with it.”
Andrews countered.
“First we have to get them jobs,” he said in response. “We’re playing games here when we say ‘manage your money.’ What money? Start by getting them a job.”
Saafir stressed the importance of developing local business to employ residents, keeping employees and customers in the city and bringing money back into the community. He spoke often of his plan for business corridor growth.
“We have to deal with business creation and get people involved with community businesses,” he said.
The talk of job opportunity took up a substantial portion of the conversation, and is an issue that Andrews is more than comfortable with. Job creation has been one of his platforms while in office. Both expressed excitement over the positive effects that big-box stores and an LNG plant will have on the job community.
That is, provided that they’re done appropriately, of course.
Saafir stated that big-box stores are permissible in Long Beach, but must be developed with what he called “intra-entrepreneurship,” or hiring members of the community and helping them to progress through the company’s ranks without outsourcing higher-level positions.
“I’ve never turned down anything when it comes to jobs,” Andrews said on the the proposed LNG project. “That doesn’t mean I’m for or against it. I’m in favor of the EIR (Environmental Impact Report).” Both candidates agreed that their decisions hinged on the findings of the report, which may decide once and for all what kind of environmental impact the LNG project would have on the surrounding area.
“If it’s safe then I’m for it, if it’s not then I’m against it,” Andrews said as Saafir nodded along.
In closing remarks, Saafir stressed his 35+ years of community involvement and leadership before leaving the crowd and perhaps his opponent with a final question:
“Did you change to win, or did you win to change?”
With the advantage of answering last, Andrews reiterated his progress in creating community jobs and his plans to strengthen small business and stifle gang and graffiti activity.
“I’m not a businessman,” he said. “But I’ve been a damn good community man for 65 years.”
The Sixth District election will be held April 8.
Report by Managing Editor Ryan ZumMallen