LBPOST.com: Poll: Who Do You Support In The 7th District Council Race?

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Poll: Who Do You Support In The 7th District Council Race?

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 01.29.10 |

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Join the discussion and vote in the unscientific poll on our homepage for the 7th District City Council candidate that you support. Current candidates in the race are listed below, in alphabetical order. All have filed to enter the election, which will be held in April 2010.

The purpose of this unscientific poll is to engage the community and spark discussion on the election, early in the election cycle. A similar poll conducted in November sparked lively discussion and debate concerning the upcoming race for the 9th District Council seat.

Our new PostPoll feature is one of many polls to come in the future, and will also be used to engage readers on important issues in Long Beach.

The current 7th District City Council candidates are listed below:

Jill Hill
James Johnson
Jack Smith
Tonia Reyes Uranga

With an extensive background of community involvement, Jill Hill is taking a run at the 7th District council seat based on her experience with the Long Beach Environmental Services Bureau and the Wringley Area Neighborhood Association. She has been a consultant with the former since 2001, and has served as President of the latter since 2007. Hill aims for sustainable, long-term approaches to issues such as the budget and the environment that face both the district and the city. Learn more about Hill on her campaign website, here.

A very visible member of the Wrigley neighborhood in which he resides, Jack Smith is a former rocket scientist and software engineer in the entertainment industry. More to the point, he is a vocal participant at City Council and other community meetings and helped found Better Balance For Long Beach - which has been praised for its efforts to develop the 14th Street Skate Park and hold annual Christmas Toy Drives - in 2006. His website stresses his commitment to bringing the City Budget under control. Learn more about Smith on his campaign website, here.

A life-long Long Beach resident, James Johnson returned to his hometown after graduating from Harvard and the Berkeley School of Law to work in a Los Angeles firm, but has served as the Long Beach Assistant City Auditor since 2007. Johnson has said that he offers expertise on budgets due to his experience in the Auditor's office, and made waves all the way back in June when he reported more than $53,000 raised in campaign funds. Learn more about Johnson on his campaign website, here.

The incumbent in what looks to be a very tight race, Tonia Reyes Uranga faces an uphill climb to regain her seat because she will not appear on the ballot this April. That's because Reyes Uranga has already served two terms as 7th District Councilmember, and will rely on write-in votes. In fact, she only threw her hat into the ring when her husband, LBCC Trustee Roberto Uranga, announced that he would withdraw to accept a position with the Association of Community College Trustees. In her eight years with the Council, Reyes Uranga has earned a reputation as a fierce defender of environmental and neighborhood issues. She attempted a bid for the State Assembly in 2008 but was defeated in the Democratic primary. Reyes Uranga does not appear to have a campaign site, but you can learn more by visiting her Council page, here.

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Comments

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AQ
Write in Tonia Reyes Uranga.

resident
Who supports the breakwater reconfiguration? That is the one I support.

lbresident
anyone but uranga. She chooses unions over residents every time. vote her out.

Kim
Tanya Reyes Uranga

Mela
Please do us a public service, by getting a written statement from the candidates and publishing these. I would like to know their party affiliation as well, their work background, the area of the city they reside and their vision for Long Beach realistically and what they hope to push during their term. Now, that would be helpful before any such poll is done.

Michael Davis
Tonia rejects the business-as-usual politics and stands up for what is right, not what is popular. She's got my vote.

LBResident1
Jill Hill. She has worked for the community for many years and her only adgenda is whats best for the residents of Long Beach.

Bixby Knolls
As Obamacare puts it. It is time for a change. Either Johnson or Hill works for me.

bixby knolls resident
I need more info...but definetely not Uranga.

Resident
One time they all (all council persons) vote for term limits then when it comes their turn they want to be written in. There was only ONE Mayor Beverly O'Neil.

Ridiculous
Definately NOT Uranga.

JEBWrites
All 7th district council candidates will take part in a debate Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Veteran's Park (half a block east of Pacific Ave & 28th Street). Event jointly sponsored by the Wrigley Assoc. and the California Heights Assoc. Everyone is welcome.

Active 7th Resident
From a community standpoint, all of these folks are justifiable candidates. They have demonstrated that they care about their community and put forth significant efforts in participation. We should appreciate their willingness to step into an extremely involved but unappreciated position. Jill has donated countless personal hours in the community for many years, although divisions (barriers?) are strong between the Wrigley and WANA neighborhood groups. She has worked in the community on a professional level and has experienced local government heading up Litter Free Long Beach, an issue she has worked very hard to affect. Jack has been active as well, and while his dimeanor is seen by some as combative and unprofessional, his efforts are well-meaning and attack core issues for community improvement. James has been somewhat less involved in the community, but has likely developed some savy with city government ins-and-outs in his capacity at the Auditor's office, and he's certainly commanded some strong endorsements from the community relationships he has cultivated. His intelligence is obvious and he has done a very good job at making himself visible and accessible at local events in the more recent past. Despite what some have stated, Tonia has been very dedicated to community, and those of us who are active know that she is actively engaged and her office has assisted and or participated regularly with a myriad of community issues and events during her tenure. The relationships she has built over the years and the capacities she has served represent important experience. While I personally dislike term limits for their contribution to lazy voting (non participation), write-in campaigns are formidable barriers to reelection, as many resent what they see as a subversion of voter will, even though the term limit law voters passed gives them the chance to do just that. A candidate forum will be held by the Wrigley and Cal Heights associations on Feb 1 at Veteran's Park Community Hall at 7pm.

WrigleyWriter
James Johnson. The 7th needs an advocate for all residents, not just special interest groups.

lbresident
Can somebody please name one resident serving accomplishment of Tonia Uranga in her 8 years in office? Fixing the arlington flooding doesn't count. That was accomplished from a federal stimulus bailout. She had 8 years to fix it and didn't. I know she consistently votes for more low income housing, maintaining unsustainable pensions, and doesn't want to outsource services that can be provided for less money. Her family as she says are the union employees, not residents. So what has she actually accomplished for residents?

Judy C.
Tonia Reyes Uranga! She's not just for the unions; she is also for the residents of Long Beach! I am not a resident of the 7th district, and I took an important issue for all of Long Beach to all the Councilmembers. Tonia gave me her personal time, unlike the majority of Councilmembers that gave me their staffs time and two Councilmembers would not give me any time. Tonia cares about her district and all of L.B. She is sharp and keeps up with the issues of L.B. She is the one for the job!

lbresident
Judy, thanks for the comment. Can you be specific? I've yet to see something she's done for residents. However when I watch tuesday council meetings I see her stand up for the unions and non-resident low income housing activists regularly.

Paul
Jack Smith has the intelligence and record of problem solving to do the job. Johnson and Tonia are part of, and beholden to, the, "FAMILY" as Tonia calls it. The Family are city contractors, consultants, employees, friends with, "connections," such as Tom Dean, and many others, with their hands in the city till. Reform and, dare I write it, change, is needed. Only Jack can look at the situation as a complex problem that is a challenge needing positive change. Only Jack has the outside knowledge of insider shenanigans and trickery. Only Jack has the character and guts to stop the Family"s self indulgence. Look at campain donations to see who is beholden to the special interests. Jack Smith is truly for the people.

Michael McGuire
James Johnson brings qualities to the 7th District that will serve that area and the City of Long Beach well for years to come. He has demonstrated a unique ubnderstanding of the issues of city governemnt through his work on the city charter...he understands the finances of government and has proven to be studied and effective in presenting solutions that impact the enitre City positively...and he brings energy, brilliance, compassion and ethical standards that would serve any community, thisd City, well...he is one of us, a high school when I met, a colleague when he returned, a leadr as he has grown and commands respect here in Long Beach, in Sacramento and nationally. When people speak of the future, they are speaking of James Johnson.

Fed up
Uranga is union stooge number one and Johnson is union stooge number two. If you want a real change, vote for one of the other two.

anyone but uranga
Look at the Somerset Park fiasco reported by the LBPost a few months ago. If she truly cared about the residents of her district, she would have done a better job at getting resident input before attempting to slip this name change by us.

CHARLIE
Well Dee Andrews is my guy in the 6th district and is doing a great job, however, I understand that Uranga is a bad deal for the 7th district because she does not understand who her constituants really are...

Belmont Bob
James Johnson hopefully will be our new 7th district council representative. Please remember that the council people represent the entire city of Long Beach, not just their district. James Johnson not only would be a great representative for his district but also the city. Buy working with the Auditors office he understands the financial needs of the entire city. James Johnson for 7th district city council.

Character Counts
Character is what counts so I am voting for Jill Hill. I have lived in Wrigley since 1986 and have known Ms. Hill since 1995. She honors her commitments, and when there is work to be done she rolls up her sleeves and gets to it. She has served almost a full eight years on the Community Development Commission and raised two children while running her own business - facts rarely mentioned in the press. Ms. Hill is not a career politician and has no interest in the Political Machine. She truly will represent all of the diverse elements in the 7th District and be fair to all of her constituents. No body can claim to own Jill Hill. She will investigate the facts and make decisions based on consensus. She is a strong advocate for transparency in decision-making.

lbbusiness
NO to write-ins. The PEOPLE have voted for TERM LIMITS ! ! !

Paul
To Michael Davis. Tonia voted to bus mentally ill homeless people into Long Beach, including child molesters. Busing these homeless people into town from all over LA County, and leaving them here, still homeless. How, "right" is that for anyone? The entire Council and Mayor needs to be replaced on that one issue since it endangers children and residents city wide.

Kathy Ryan
As one of the co-founders of LBTA, we will not be endorsing anyone; however, we will set an agenda and ask the candidates if they agree or disagree with our proposals. I don't understand how anyone can vote without knowing how the candidates stand on the important issues Long Beach citizens are facing. It seems like the drum is beating for the Mayor's choice, James Johnson, and from the comments of some of the posters, Johnson also has the backing of the Democrats in Sacramento. There is no bigger negative, then have the California Democrat party endorse a candidate. Just take a look a the Lowenthals and Mayor Foster. All the big money came rolling in for both, and we have to live with the negative results of those elections. Let the debate begin. My observation is that people will be extremely disappointed in James Johnson, but highly motivated to vote for Jack Smith after the debates. Tonia will be Tonia and not have any substative answers on how to deal with our ongoing structural deficit. It will be back again this year.

lbresident
To "Active 7th Resident" the only thing positive you can come up with regarding uranga is "Despite what some have stated, Tonia has been very dedicated to community, and those of us who are active know that she is actively engaged and her office has assisted and or participated regularly with a myriad of community issues and events during her tenure. The relationships she has built over the years and the capacities she has served represent important experience." Come on? WHAT HAS THIS WOMAN ACCOMPLISHED??? All she does is vote for pensions and low income housing and claim the unions are her family while her district floods and crumbles. I am still waiting for anyone to mention one resident serving accomplishment in the last 8 years. Telling us she is dedicated and has built relationships isn't very inspiring.

donna smith
Jack Smith is the right guy (no, he is not a relative).

Angel
It is clear after looking at the public service backgrounds and actual detail of accomplishments that only One candidate stands alone! Although I am a strong advocate and do support term limits, if the people in District 7 agree, then they will write-in Ms. Reyes-Uranga because of what she has "done" in the last 8 years to make the 7th District a better place to live! So if you are better off because she is not a business-as-usual politics and stands up for what is right, not what is popular ", then write her in!

Worried Resident
Yes, Beverly O'Neil did a great job when she won after she was termed out, but Uranga will not. It's so interesting that her husband originally was running. Why? So Tonia could run the position from the back seat? That sounds about right. Now that he's out of the race, she decides to run again? Eh. She's been nothing but trouble and is not about the community. We need a strong leader. One who isn't looking for another step on the political ladder like James Johnson. He graduated from Harvard and has his law degree but wants to downgrade his current salary of ,000/year to around 30k/year? Hmm. Sounds fishy. It wouldn't surprise me that if James won, he'd be running for congress or state senate when his term up. He's be following in the footsteps of Laura Richardson, and we say how much she did for us! Ahaha. Also, he has no "hands-on" experience with the community that the other candidates have. Don't even get me started with Jack. All I can say, is he is not afraid to blatantly insult people in public. After hearing what has gone on between WANA (the good guys) and the Wrigley Association, he would NEVER EVER get my vote. EVER. As for Jill Hill, she's got my vote. Check out Jill Hill's website. She is willing to answer any and all questions you have regarding her campaign. Just because she lives in Wirgley doesn't mean that she will only have their interests in mind. She only has the interests of her community in mind. If she lived in Bixby Knolls or Bixby Heights, she would be an active member of the community there. What has James Johnson ever done for your neighborhood?

Angel
Hey Mr. lbresident Your stated comments that you didn't think very much of our Mayor Foster accomplishments and now do not like Ms. Reyes/ Uranga, either. You stated, " anyone but Uranga. " I respectfully disagree with you regarding both elected officials records of public service achievements! Also, I have heard not any factual accusations of conflict of interest or lack of ethics by other one! hum........

Mike Ruehle
Jack Smith. He is sensitive to issues impacting residents and is not tied to Foster's skirt strings like Johnson.

Active 7th Resident
In response to lbresident, I generalized the positive aspects of all the candidates, including Uranga's. I've been active in this city for two decades, more than some, less than others. I've had occasion to contact council offices during many of those years for a variety of reasons. I've lived in the 3rd, 2nd and 7th districts and have also owned property in both the 6th and 8th. The 7th District office has been second to none in reponding to code enforcement concerns, one of the single biggest issues for neighborhood improvement and protection from the backwards slide. She and her staff have always been helpful with community events, from obtaining permits and services to active and helpful participation, regular attendance and input at community meetings, accessability and a willingness to hear and discuss neighborhood concerns with decisions being considered at Council. She has also represented residents well with her work with AQMD and the 710 Oversight Committee, as well as advocating for the residents in regards to poor air quality and noise from port and airport operations. I could give a more specific list of positive attributes for the others as well. They all have something to offer. Now, I'm sure that none of the above will have any effect on the mind you've already made up, and frankly, that's just fine with me.

Paul
This past Saturday, Jill Hill organized 150 volunteers to clean the streets of the 4th District, similar feats to be performed across the city over the coming month.

Maggie
I was almost certain I'd be casting my vote for Johnson until he was endorsed by several unions and a host of other interest groups. This would mean that Tonia would owe no one and could actually be FREE to do some good work if she were re-elected. I have not voted for her in the past, but she gets my vote this time.

FOR A MORE FAIR & SUSTAIN
Write in Tonia Reyes Uranga. After several candidates Forums, the only person I could vote for is Tonia. She has my families best interest at the for front of her decision making, while the rest seem to be playing the game of politics, or seem clueless to the real issues facing ALL long beach residents.

EBennet
As a non-Hispanic, non-west side constituent of the 7th District, I receive no support or contact from Uranga. She's rude to people and only cares about furthering her own liberal agenda. I've contacted her office on issues regarding my sidewalk, the speedlimit of the street I live on, and installing a stop sign and have had no response in 8 years. I can only assume that I live too far east for her and that assiting her constituents living in Cal Heights would not further the East-West divide that she has worked so hard to create and maintain.

Lily B. Cipher
James Johnson. He brings youth, energy, sincerity, honesty, intelligence and the willingness to give up his position with the city auditor's office to better serve the community. Time for a different approach to the local issues.

Unprofessional
I witnessed Jack Smith put fingers in his ears at a public meeting when he disagreed with a speaker. I was astounded that such a public figure could act so immature and yet wants to represent a large population of Long Beach residents. Will Jack Smith ignore constituents that he disagrees with? Will Jack Smith have selective hearing? If I lived in this district, I would vote no for Jack Smith.

Andrew
My vote would be for Tonia--but I live in the 3rd District. The write-in process is good way for the voters to say that "term limits" should not apply in this particular election. For the Johnson supporters---ask if he has already aligned with certain council members. Yes, his friends and playmates matter!

Moe
I read the comments below, and was in absolute agreement with "character counts", I don't live there, but I have visited. I do know Jill quite well though. She is my sister in law. If there is one thing that has been a constant in Jill's life, it is the fact that whatever she puts her mind to, whatever her interests are, whatever she believes in, she does 100%. Jill has always been a hard worker. Whether it was helping her mom the last few years of her life, working tirelessly to provide for two children, or getting involved in her community, she gives her best. Jill loves people, and more so I believe she loves helping people. I believe that Jill would be a great asset for your community, and that she will serve you well. Jill has never done anything half-baked.

Active 7th Resident
EBennet. Sorry to hear that you've never been contacted about your concerns, but I'm also a non-hispanic Cal Hts resident and have found the opposite. The council office took care of a neighbor's call about a stagnant pool and an overgrown yard that was breeding rats, and responded to our requests for larger stop signs at the intersections leading to the schools. She's been at Cal Hts meetings too. When I volunteered many years back to help prep the wall for the mural at Orange and Wardlow, there she was with her hands in the concrete with everyone else. At tree plantings too. The issues you mention are difficult ones, since a wave of a council member's hand can't place a stop sign or fix a sidewalk, but your requests should have been at least responded to.

MO
Time for a change!

lindaonline
Jill hill gets PAID by the city to do her community work with Litter Free Long Beach. However, the city does not pay her to argue with her fellow residents in Wrigley and form a splinter group and sue over Christmas decorations!

Don Darnauer
Although Jack Smith is a good man and has been an advocate for the low income and blighted neighborhoods, I would endorse and encourage voting for Jill Hill who has been a grass roots neighborhood activist for many more years in Wrigley, as well as an environmental activist. I like people like her that have actually been in the trenches and done the work. She is not beholding to unions and special interest groups either, but an independent thinker for the good of the residents themselves. She's the BEST...

Angel
Hey Mr LBResident1 What exactly has Ms. Jill Hill done besides what tax-payers have paid her to do in City job? You say, "She has worked for the community for many years and her only adgenda is whats best for the residents of Long Beach." OK! So please tell us of her specific accomplishments with her community involement and volunteer efforts in the 7th District??? Waiting for reply. Thank you

BUGGA BOO BOO
After reading all the comments, I think maybe a vote for Cinnabun would be better than Uranga

Anonymous
Time for a change......Uranga's handling of the re-naming of the Somerset Park issue and the continued lack of how Bixby Terrace residents view that facility, is just one more example of the lip service she pays to residents North of the 405. Anyone but more of her.

CalMom
James Johnson, absolutely. He is clearly gifted, but also compassionate and a gentleman. The 7th district will be proud to be represented by someone with both strong character and brilliant mind. Moreover, he is genuinely proud of his hometown of Long Beach. When someone with this much talent is willing to pass up a well-paid legal career in favor of grassroots local involvement, the community would be foolish to let him slip by. He is an asset to Long Beach, no question.

lindaonline
Calmom is JJohnson's mom! A little bias dont you think? Again he has done nothing in Cal Hts let alone the district or city!

RG
As I stated in the 9th district poll this is so misleading......however now that it's out there comments may be important to those voters who are not directly connected to the candidates. All 7th district hopefuls are fine citizens who believe they can contribute to our city. Jill has been a friend and fellow activist for many years, Jack has displayed his passion for justice for as long as I've had the privilege to know him BUT for this lady that sits to the left of Tonia on most Tuesdays I believe that her reelection to the 7th district seat is critical. We have a city government that lacks leadership from the top. It is more divide and conquer! We have fractured departments that are frustrated by lack of direction or misguided direction. We have a city council that does not seem able to work together towards common goals for the betterment of Long Beach. We have policy that appears to be set by power rather than common good. In my opinion, Tonia Reyes Uranga, your WRITE IN CANDIDATE, is the most knowledgeable and capable person for the job. She knows how to stand her ground, fight the fight when necessary for her communities and shares her commitment for quality of life throughout our city - not restricting her support to the affluent neighborhoods in town. We all want a better life for our family - Tonia has proven to be a good leader whether it is to defend neighborhoods against airport expansion, port pollution and growth or basic neighborhood needs. 7th District - Believe me, you need her now more than ever!!

question for Rae
Does that mean going forward we can expect you to stand up side by side with Tonia for more low income housing, sustaining union pensions, PLAs, and welfare services?

RG
I did not say we agree on everything. In fact you have identified some of our more controversial issues. I believe in affordable housing for seniors and disabled so they may live with dignity in a safe environment in our city. I do not support PLA as I understand them today. The LB pensions were created by a previous council and yes both Val and Tonia were there for a vote BUT plz remember it was there very first vote minutes after their swearing in ceremony with limited knowledge of what was before them. Not sure what you mean by welfare services. Job creation and appropriate education to be eligible for those jobs is at the top of my list. It's easier said than done!

thanks Rae
Thanks Rae for responding. Good to hear those answers. Though I would say you're going a little too easy on Tonia with regard to low income housing and pensions. She always stands with the "housing advocates" and you know what will freeze over before she ever agrees to require employees to contribute more to their pensions. Let's just hope no matter who wins stands with the residents and not the port and requires to port to pay for reconfiguring the breakwater.

Curious
What are the final results of the poll?

Dan
Yes on Write-In Tonia! Tonia has a proven track record. She is community minded, not only for her district, but all of Long Beach. We need more Council Members like this! She stands up for what she believes is right for the entire city!

thepeople
Tonia has always been for working families and serves the community with passion and character. We need her continued experience. Write Tonia Reyes Uranga on April 13, when it counts!

Long Beach News

LBPOST.com Managing Editor Ryan ZumMallen keeps up on all the current and breaking Long Beach news.

Ryan ZumMallen is a graduate of the CSULB School of Journalism, writing for the campus' Union Weekly newspaper and serving as Sports Editor for one year. He has written for numerous news and sports websites and magazines, as well as television experience with Fox Sports and ABC Channel 7.