The race to replace former Councilmember and now Assemblywoman Laura Richardson is entering an intense phase with three candidates receiving major community endorsements, launching websites and opening campaign offices. Al Austin, Lilian Parker and Ahmed Saafir are leading the endorsement race with major support from labor unions, business groups and Long Beach elected officials.



All 7 candidates – Edward Acevedo, Dee Andrews, Alvin R. Austin, J.A. Caruthers, Lee Davis, Lillian Parker and Ahmed Carl Saafir are expected to attend a debate at the Wrigley Association meeting at Veterans Park at 7:00 pm.


Al Austin has received endorsements from Assemblymembers Laura Richardson and Betty Karnette, Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal and Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal, Patrick O’Donnell, the Long Beach Police Officers Association and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.



Ahmed Saafir has the support of former Mayor Beverly O’Neill, Harbor Commissioner and former 6th District Councilmember Doris Topsy Elvord, and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.



Lilian Parker has strong union support from Laborers Union Local #777, and Teamsters Joint Council 42.



Both Ahmed Saafir and Al Austin have websites up. Saafir at www.ahmedsaafir.com and Austin at www.austinforlongbeach.com. Austin also opened up his campaign headquarters this last weekend. It is located at 2005 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806.



The Wrigley Association also created a candidate questionnaire that is available on their website. 6 of the 7 candidates responded, and some of the responses are very interesting. Below are some of the responses, click here to see the whole questionnaire.



QUESTION: Discuss an event or accomplishment that you played a role in that took place in or affected the 6th district that you are most proud of. 



Saafir: An accomplishment in the District that I am very proud of is Atlantic Renaissance. As Chairman of the Board of the Atlantic Community Economic Development Corporation (ACED), I led the board to envision the current bank and community service center at 19th & Atlantic. ACED partnered with the City to secure a grant for development of that project. 



Andrews: Given the era in which I grew up in the Sixth District I think my greatest accomplishment was being a part of the initial group of young people involved in athletics that helped our community to adjust to the changing demographics of our District and City. Athletic success provided me the opportunity to interact with community members and leaders throughout the City that resulted in me being able to serve as an advocate for the residents in the Sixth District. 



Caruthers: Neighborhood Program on 16th street (secretary for meetings), Trees cut and Gutters cleaned by the city that were long overdue. 



Davis: I cared and wrote the guidelines for Wrigley historical districts and chaired the Mexican fiesta on Pacific in August 2006 



Parker: I’ve been a volunteer in numerous community activities, including organizing Neighborhood Watch, participating in clean-ups throughout the city, volunteering in the Cambodian New Year and MLK parades, being part of many community organizations and taking a pro-active part in improving the quality of life in my community; however, I am most proud of my role on the Youth Gang Violence Task Force, Weed and Seed Committee. 



Austin: Chairman, Academic Uprise, Inc (CAHSEE Prep Sessions); Co-Chair, Long Beach MLK, Jr. Parade 2007; Volunteer, Daisy Lane Christmas Parade; Advisory Board, Long Beach Midnight Basketball Program 



QUESTION: Had you been the 10th city council member, which city council person would you have voted with the most often in the past two years? 



Andrews: Tonia Reyes Uranga 



Caruthers: Councilwoman Schipske 



Davis: There really isn’t anyone I would vote with, there are things that every council member has done that I would support. The Lowenthals, Gabelich, Uranga and O’Donnell are the most vocal to me. 



Parker: There are many issues that are unique to the sixth district; but if I had to choose any councilpersons, I would probably have voted most with either Councilmembers Tonia Reyes-Uranga or Rae Gabelich. 



Austin: Suja Lowenthal 



Saafir: I cannot say that I would have voted exclusively with one City Councilperson, or even a majority of the time with a single Council representative. 



QUESTION: List one vote that Laura Richardson made in the past 6 years you disagreed with her on and one where you agreed with her completely. 


Caruthers: To endorse Cambodian town 



Davis: I don’t agree with the way that she spent the money for the 6th district on the MLK day, I would have liked to see the money spent more on education for the children not just on a one day event, it could have been expanded. The absence of activities for the kids is something I don’t agree with her on. 



Revitalization of the Atlantic corridor is vital for the city and is very positive and she championed that 



Parker: I was really torn by the vote on the park bond, knowing that there were so many areas, especially in the 6th district, that needs parks and park improvements; but I don’t believe that putting the General Fund in jeopardy by guaranteeing the repayment of this bond if CDBG dollars go away, or tying up CDBG dollars that were earmarked for ADA accessibility on streets that are not completed was an appropriate decision. After all, we still have streets that are not ADA accessible and there are no public works dollars for these improvements. 



I agree with Laura Richardson’s stance on new liquor licenses, due to the over- saturation of liquor stores, especially those within 100 feet of residences. She was always consistent on that issue. 



Austin: Laura was a strong advocate and representative for the residents of the 6th District. She voted in the interest of her district and the city. As a Councilmember I will do the same. 


Saafir: I disagreed with Laura Richardson’s handling of and vote on the Cambodian New Year festivities in the 6th District several years ago. I completely agreed with her vote on requiring the City to go out to bid on a financing institution to handle City money rather than continue with the current contractor without solicitation of new bids. 



Andrews: The Redistricting vote. Purpose of the process is to create population balance between districts while also keeping in mind maintaining a “community of mutual interests”. That was not achieved. 



Two votes I support completely were the votes to expand and rehabilitate California Recreation Center and the vote to expand and construct park facilities at Chittick Field (Hamilton Bowl).