H.B. council hopefuls focus on development, homeless, businesses and marijuana at forum
High-density development, homelessness, businesses and marijuana were hot topics at a Huntington Beach City Council candidates forum Tuesday.
Nine of the 10 candidates in the Nov. 8 election — Councilwoman Jill Hardy, who is up for reelection; former Mayor Joe Carchio; planning commissioners Lyn Semeta, Edward Pinchiff and Patrick Brenden; businessman Mark Rolfes; financial advisor Ron Sterud; certified public accountant Mariann Ettorre and student Amory Hanson — spoke at the Kiwanis-sponsored event at Meadowlark Golf Club.
Candidate Karen Leighton, a registered nurse, was not present.
Many candidates spoke about their opposition to more high-density development in town.
Hardy said she has a voting history of opposing such developments.
Pinchiff said that had there been more government transparency, the council would have known how much residents opposed high-density development.
Hanson said that while he opposes high-density development in residential areas, he believes building an event center downtown could “establish more culture so it’s not such a place for intoxication.”
Carchio promised to never support a project that exceeds local codes.
Brenden said he “opposes high density everywhere in Huntington Beach,” adding that the city should “move forward with sensible development.”
“I want to make sure our little slice of paradise remains that way now and forever,” he said.
When asked what the city should do regarding its growing homeless population, a majority of the candidates said they support relationships with nonprofits, churches and the state and federal governments to allow for more resources.
“You must tie whatever you’re doing with services,” Semeta said. “It’s not just about shelter.”
Pinchiff and Hanson said problems stem from mental health issues among the homeless.
Brenden encouraged mentoring and coaching people affected by homelessness.
“We need to make sure we’re a hand up, not a hand out,” he said.
Sterud said the city needs to coordinate its efforts with higher governing bodies.
Rolfes argued otherwise. “If we wait for national support, we’ll be waiting a long time,” he said.
Candidates also were asked how they would reduce regulatory burdens on local businesses and attract new merchants to the area.
Rolfes said he has spoken with many shop owners who have called the costs and regulations of doing business a “nuisance.”
Carchio, a former business owner, said the city needs to work harder with the planning department to make it easier for businesses.
Ettorre said she supports creating incentives for merchants to stay in the city. Aging infrastructure, particularly downtown, also needs to be tended to to attract new businesses, she said.
Hardy and Hanson said a task force could be created to see which regulations businesses are most upset about.
However, Hardy said, some regulations shouldn’t be easily dismissed.
“Businesses may fear their annual fire inspection, but they should fear their building burning down more,” she said.
Candidates also were asked about their stances on Proposition 64, a statewide ballot measure that would allow recreational use of marijuana.
Many noted that possession of recreational marijuana is a federal crime and said the city should work with the city attorney to find ways to regulate it in town if Prop. 64 passes next month.
Sterud was the only candidate who discussed the benefits of medical marijuana, saying it can help people with seizures and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
“It’s an amazing medicine,” he said. “It is a shame that it has been pushed down by Big Pharma.”
Ettorre, a former board member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said legal nonmedical use of marijuana could lead to more traffic accidents in the city.
Rolfes said it could bring more crime.
Carchio said he is working to promote Red Ribbon Week in local schools to encourage students to pledge to live drug-free.
He referred to marijuana as a gateway drug. “It starts with marijuana and it ends very poorly with drugs, a habit and death much of the time,” he said.
Pinchiff said he is neutral on the issue and noted that recent polls have shown the proposition is likely to pass.
“We do have to get ahead of this curve if it’s passed,” he said. “We need to keep it away from our schools and tourist areas. We need to zone it in industrial areas.”
Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey
