THE RACE FOR HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Tariq Malik

This marks Joey Racano’s first try at public office. The 12-year

resident studied at Suffolk County College in North Babylon, N.Y., after

serving in the Navy for two years.

A musician by trade, Racano’s main focus is the environment, including

preservation of the wetlands and water quality. He lives alone with his

dogs Tree and Champion.

Ocean pollution is by far the largest issue facing the city, he said,

adding that the treatment process for water is inadequate.

“It’s a fundamental problem dumping this stuff into the ocean in the

first place,” he said.

Racano also wants to protect coastal open space, such as the Bolsa

Chica and Little Shell wetlands, from development.

BIO

JOEY RACANO

* Age: 44

* Family: Mother Anna

* Community Activities: St. Mary’s by the Sea volunteer and Coastal

Act enforcement protests

* Contact: (714) 407-1017, o7 https://www.littleshell.org and

https://www.bluesfantasy.com

f7

JOEY RACANO ON:

* REDEVELOPMENT

While Racano believes the city has some smart plans for the future,

with redevelopment projects such as The Crossings at Huntington in the

works, he is concerned what it will mean for the environment.

“Where I think the idea [of redevelopment] goes astray is with the

poor planning of the Waterfront Hilton expansion that is trying to pave

over wetlands,” he said.

What is lacking, he added, is a broad enough vision to incorporate

problems such as urban runoff and ocean pollution, as well as affordable

housing.

* THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE CITY

Over the next few years, the city is going to have to make a major

effort to fund its infrastructure, Racano said.

“It’s something that has been ignored for so long that we have stuck

our head in the sand about it,” he said.

Racano said the city should find ways to emphasize ecotourism,

capitalizing on wetlands such as those at Bolsa Chica that could be a new

source of revenue.

“The entire ecosystem is a cash cow,” he said.