Five candidates for open City Council seats in this upcoming April’s election attended a public forum last night, hosted by the Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community.
Jana Shields (1st District), Tom Marchese (3rd District), James Johnson (7th District), Tonia Reyes Uranga (7th District), and Steve Neal (9th District) attended the forum at the downtown Neighborhood Methodist Church.
The Coalition is known for its local advocacy in strong support of labor and housing, playing a prominent role in recent battles with Long Beach hotels over the wages being paid to employees.
The candidates were asked to sign a pledge that indicated “their support for a set of policy initiatives aimed at creating good jobs for working families in Long Beach and creating healthy communities,” according to a Coalition press release.
The pledge was signed by Marchese, Reyes Uranga and Neal. Shields and Johnson said they would need more time to review the pledge before signing it.
Press-Telegram reporter Paul Eakins provides a detailed account of the topics covered during the debate in this article.
The press release explains that Reyes Uranga, after signing the pledge, stated, “I don’t think there’s anyone who can disagree with the points in the pledge. It’s a real common-sense, realistic approach to making this a better community.”
“I believe signing the pledge is the right thing to do,” said Marchese, although Eakins’ article points out that Marchese did not read the pledge, signing because he trusts the Coalition.
“I believe in equity and fairness for all, and I believe that Long Beach should be a community where everyone has opportunity and a living wage and the ability to try and grow and prosper.”
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