Manhattan Beach City Council Candidates Name Top 3 Endorsements

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — To help voters know more about the seven candidates running for Manhattan Beach City Council, Manhattan Beach Patch asked each one to name the endorsements they consider their Top 3 and explain why.

Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Joe Franklin

Franklin wrote, "I value every one of my endorsements equally. Each represents a voice in Manhattan Beach who, after looking at all the candidates, puts their trust in me to best represent their views."

Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Chaz Flemmings

Wrote Flemmings, "No endorsement but MB residents. It’s vital because it’s the only PAC (People Around the Community) I’m involved with.

Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate and Former MB Mayor Mark Burton

1. Biz Fed. BizFed endorses business-supportive candidates for elective offices in LA County who are committed to meaningful change, economic progress, job creation and strong, healthy communities. The BizFed endorsement is particularly important during this pandemic with its impact on our MB small businesses. Here is the BizFed Endorsement: "On behalf of LA BizFed PAC, we have elected to endorse you for your upcoming election. You possess the leadership quality necessary to lead your city during these tough economic times."
2. Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. The LALCV is the gold standard of environmental protection endorsements. LALCV's endorsement was a strong endorsement that recognizes my wealth of experience in dealing with community issues and my passion for protecting our precious MB envirorment. Here is the LALCV Endorsement: “As a former Councilmember and LA City Attorney, Mark Burton has deep experience working on a myriad of community issues,” said LALCV Director Kirsten James, who led the organization’s endorsement team for this race. “This experience and Mark’s passion for protecting the environment would be an asset to the Manhattan Beach Council.”
3. Friends of Polliwog Park. "Hello, Friends of Polliwog Park! For the upcoming (Nov. 3) city council election, the FOPP Board endorses Mark Burton. He put the concerns of residents ahead of big-money special interests. He fought vigorously to preserve Polliwog as a Nature Park, to protect it from development and destruction of our green space. This year, with few choices for safe respite from staying indoors, residents needed Polliwog Park more than ever! Thank you Mark Burton. We believe he deserves your vote!"

Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Phoebe Lyons

Wrote Lyons: "As a campaign committed to new and different approaches, I am not looking for endorsements from the same group of “powerful” individuals in our town who are chased by candidates every election cycle. Nor am I applying for endorsements from organizations who have reached out to me.

A few groups have made recommendations to their members based solely on my goals for this city—that I welcome.

I care about all the individuals of this town. An older woman new to Manhattan Beach called me recently because she is excited to see someone like me stepping up to lead with a fresh voice and new approaches. She is a perfect example of the underrepresented constituency that I want to engage and champion. Individuals like her are the reason I’m running.
If you look around our neighborhoods, you’ll see my yard signs in front of all kinds of homes from original beach bungalows to large new builds. If you spoke to the owners, you would meet 60-year residents, young families, newcomers, and everyone in between.
My campaign is focused on individuals and equity. All Manhattan Beach residents are equally important to me."

Manhattan Beach City Council Candidate Grettel Fournell

Wrote, Fournell, "I am incredibly proud of all of my endorsements whether they be from elected officials, friends and neighbors, or people I have just met while campaigning.
The following are the three that are most meaningful to me:

1. It’s incredibly telling that six former [MBUSD] school board members and all five current school board members endorse my candidacy. This is important because they all trust that I will value and protect the strong partnership we have between the city and the schools. It is especially meaningful to have the endorsement of former board member, Ida VandePoorte. She is someone I have long admired and have tried to follow in her footsteps. She was the long-time Grand View [GV] PTA President and when she was on the school board stood out for her ability to apply her financial expertise during budget reviews which in turn allowed the board to make better decisions.
2. I am also very proud to have former Mayor and long-time public servant Amy Howorth as one of my first endorsements. I consider her to be a role-model for women who has encouraged women to run for office and is there to support them. She is a part of the wave of women who over the years has stepped up, been unafraid to lead, take positions and be such a positive and dynamic representative of Manhattan Beach. She is a well-respected member of the community and her endorsement signals to others my readiness and ability to be a good council member.
3. I am thrilled to have Barry and Kathy Fisher, owners of GROW, as endorsers of my candidacy. I have been a long-time customer and have watched them face and overcome many challenges as small business owners. GROW is representative of why we have to support our small locally owned businesses. They, the small businesses, are the ones that contribute to our local community. And GROW has been a huge supporter of the schools and community.

Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery [Incumbent]

1. The only candidate endorsed by 13 former MB Mayors.
2. One of only two candidates with all Manhattan Beach Unified School District school board endorsements.
3. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Wrote Montgomery: "The 13 former mayors and the entire MBUSD Board endorsements represent vast support from our community by residents that have been involved in every part of the city who have placed their faith and trust in me once again."

Manhattan Beach City Council Member Steve Napolitano [Incumbent]

1. I've been endorsed by all of my colleagues on City Council--This is important because it shows that I know how to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people with very diverse views to get things done. Being on Council is all about getting things done, and that's why I have the support of many former Mayors as well.
2. I've been endorsed by all five [MBUSD] school board members--This is important because the city and school relationship is a partnership that benefits the whole community. This partnership was severely strained before I was last elected, and as a member of the City/School Ad Hoc Committee, I'm proud of the work we've done to make that relationship better than ever.
3. The residents of Manhattan Beach--I wouldn't do what I do without the support of the residents who voted me into office and I've never forgotten that I work for every resident whether they voted for me or not. Humility is important in this job--it's not about me, it's about what I can do for others.