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.
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