Candidates for L.A. City Council, District 8
Four candidates are competing to replace retiring Councilman Bernard Parks for the seat covering South Los Angeles communities west of the Harbor Freeway, including Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw and Vermont Knolls. The candidates are Bobbie Jean Anderson, Robert Cole, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Forescee Hogan-Rowles.
To help voters decide who to support in the March 3 primary, the Times asked the contenders to respond to questions on a range of issues.
Bobbie Jean Anderson
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Economic recovery is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles. As a Councilmember, I will work with the Mayor, Councilmembers and agency heads to face the issue head on. MORE »
What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
I have lived and worked in the 8th Council District for more than 30 years. The 8th Council District, now more than ever, needs a vocal and forward thinking Councilmember. MORE »
Would you consider offering incentives to attract more economic development? If so, what type of incentives (be specific)?
Absolutely. In fact, one of the key components of my plan to attract businesses to the 8th is finding ways to use existing tax credits, rebates and other innovative programs to make the 8th a great place to invest. MORE »
The cost of city employee pensions and health care have been a concern in City Hall. Do you support the 2012 vote that reduced pensions for new employees?
Yes. I am in agreement with the position that my union has taken during past negotiations.
Does the city need to take further action in trim pension costs? If so, what actions do you support? If not, why not?
Rising pension costs are a critical issue for Los Angeles and must be monitored aggressively. The Mayor’s 2014-2015 Budget offers several solutions that I support. MORE »
Do you support asking all city employees (unionized and non-unionized) to contribute a portion of their health care premiums (including the LAPD and LAFD)?
These are lean economic times and we are experiencing high unemployment. While we need to be able to offer our employees the best benefits packages we can, we should not balance the budget on the backs of our employees as a first option. MORE »
During the recession, City Hall cut its work force by about 5,000 positions. Do you support adding back jobs to return to that level?
Yes. The residents and citizens of Los Angeles are getting the short end of the deal. Much-needed City services have been impacted by the cuts and people are feeling it. MORE »
The district’s boundaries were redrawn in 2010 and litigation contesting various aspects of the changes is still ongoing. Do you support the litigation, or is it time to move on?
As a member of the LA City Redistricting Commission who experienced the shame that many put politics before basic fairness and the good over the people, I wholeheartedly support the challenges before the court. There were many decisions made that I fought against and believe were illegal.
Recent police actions against black citizens have sparked rising tensions with the Los Angeles Police Department (and other law enforcement agencies across the U.S.). Do you believe that the LAPD improperly targets black residents for enforcement? If yes, what changes should the LAPD take to mediate this problem? If no, what can the LAPD do to quell this perception?
Yes, I believe that African American citizens and other minorities are targeted disproportionately. Many studies have supported these facts. Clearly we have ongoing issues that quite frankly have left many in our community distrustful of law enforcement and the judicial system. MORE »
Do you support an increase in the minimum wage to $13.25/hour (as proposed by Mayor Garcetti) or $15/hour (as proposed by some council members and outside labor/social equity groups)?
I am supportive of the Mayor’s plan. As a union member, I support worker’s rights but I believe as a Councilmember I must work for the people and for the overall good. MORE »
Robert Cole
What are your top three priorities if elected?
1. To move with a sense of urgency to improve quality of life issues in every neighborhood which ultimately lower expectations to a subpar but tolerable norm of living like illegal dumping, sidewalk and street repair and gang graffiti. MORE »
What makes you more qualified than your opponents?
I was truly born and raised in the district, attending elementary school in the district and graduating with high honors from Crenshaw High School. I have the unique civic government background that covers state, county and federal experience. MORE »
Would you consider offering incentives to attract more economic development to the Eighth District? If so, what type of incentives (be specific).
Yes, I would consider offering deferred taxing and reducing the processing time for permits and licensing process for development projects within a certain range of development.
The cost of city employee pensions and health care have been a concern in City Hall. Do you support the 2012 vote that reduced pensions for new employees?
Yes, I do.
Does the city need to take further action in trim pension costs? If so, what actions do you support? If not, why not?
Yes, the city needs to look into other investment opportunities and/or ways of being able to delay pension payouts until there is a significant generation of capital.
Do you support asking all city employees (unionized and non-unionized) to contribute a portion of their health care premiums (including the LAPD and LAFD)?
Yes, as long as all parties are all part of the decision making process, and there are no undue adverse financial hardships to immediate family members.
During the recession, City Hall cut its work force by about 5,000 positions. Do you support adding back jobs to return to that level?
No, adding more jobs would further add to the growing deficit.
The district’s boundaries were redrawn in 2010 and litigation contesting various aspects of the changes is still ongoing. Do you support the litigation, or is it time to move on?
Any time race or any other characteristic is allegedly used to create and/or separate neighborhoods, the democracy process through the court system would be the best way to determine the legality of the redrawn boundaries. MORE »
Recent police actions against black citizens have sparked rising tensions with the Los Angeles Police Department (and other law enforcement agencies across the U.S.). Do you believe that the LAPD improperly targets black residents for enforcement? If yes, what changes should the LAPD take to mediate this problem? If no, what can the LAPD do to quell this perception?
No, I don’t think the LAPD as an organization targets black residents, but individuals who are LAPD officers fail to act within prescribed conduct code of the LAPD. The LAPD can address this problem by look for ways of conducting monthly training sessions regarding race relations.
Do you support an increase in the minimum wage to $13.25/hour (as proposed by Mayor Garcetti) or $15/hour (as proposed by some council members and outside labor/social equity groups)?
Although I do support an increase in the minimum wage, I believe additional reports on the overall fiscal impact on small businesses and/or the City of Los Angeles should be researched to determine how a city like Los Angeles will be able to afford a high rate, given the current budget shortfall situation.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson
What are your top three priorities if elected?
I plan to address the historically high unemployment in the district in several ways. Approximately 30% of the city’s workforce is scheduled to retire in the next five years; I will work to ensure that residents of the 8th District are trained and ready to be competitive for those jobs. MORE »
What makes you more qualified than your opponents?
I am the candidate best poised to be an effective leader for the district. The fact that nine city councilmembers have endorsed my campaign is testament to that; they are looking for new leadership that they can work with, to address citywide issues, and get more results in the 8th District. MORE »
Would you consider offering incentives to attract more economic development to the Eighth District? If so, what type of incentives (be specific).
South LA is home to nearly 1 million people, who far too often have to travel outside of their community to access basic services and shop. If elected, I intend to stimulate economic development in the district by revitalizing our commercial corridors and improving neighborhood safety. MORE »
The cost of city employee pensions and health care have been a concern in City Hall. Do you support the 2012 vote that reduced pensions for new employees?
I would like to address how we act moving forward. I believe that public sector employees make sacrifices to serve the public, and should be rewarded with security in their retirement. MORE »
Does the city need to take further action in trim pension costs? If so, what actions do you support? If not, why not?
Pensions are a large and growing commitment in the L.A. City budget, with a large percentage of city employees are nearing retirement age in the next five years. The problem will only become more unwieldy, so there must be some level of reform. MORE »
Do you support asking all city employees (unionized and non-unionized) to contribute a portion of their health care premiums (including the LAPD and LAFD)?
My general stance is that we should only do this as a last resort, to avoid actions such as furloughs, eliminating positions, or reduction in staff levels. MORE »
During the recession, City Hall cut its work force by about 5,000 positions. Do you support adding back jobs to return to that level?
I support the City adding back positions cut during the recession and prioritizing city service positions that enhance the quality of life in local neighborhoods. MORE »
The district’s boundaries were redrawn in 2010 and litigation contesting various aspects of the changes is still onging. Do you support the litigation, or is it time to move on?
I gave input into the state and federal line drawing, and it was clear that you cannot make everybody happy in redistricting. MORE »
Recent police actions against black citizens have sparked rising tensions with the Los Angeles Police Department (and other law enforcement agencies across the U.S.). Do you believe that the LAPD improperly targets black residents for enforcement? If yes, what changes should the LAPD take to mediate this problem? If no, what can the LAPD do to quell this perception?
Chief Charlie Beck and law enforcement leadership have advanced significant reforms within the department that has helped improve the relationship between the department and the community. Under my leadership, Community Coalition has partnered with local precincts in South LA to monitor nuisance businesses and implement crime prevention strategies in local parks. MORE »
Do you support an increase in the minimum wage to $13.25/hour (as proposed by Mayor Garcetti) or $15/hour (as proposed by some council members and outside labor/social equity groups)?
I support the demand for an increase in the minimum wage to $15 and want to work with my colleagues on council, labor leaders and local business partners to identify strategies to help small business meet the minimum wage increase. MORE »
Forescee Hogan Rowles
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Priority 1: The 8th District has been sorely neglected. I will prioritize restoring City services with a focus on fixing potholes and broken curbs, trimming trees, cleaning alleyways and stopping illegal dumping. MORE »
What makes you more qualified for this district than your opponents?
Unique to my opponents, I am the only candidate with a history of job creation and business development experience. MORE »
Would you consider offering incentives to attract more economic development to the 8th District? If so, what type of incentives (be specific).
Yes, I would consider offering incentives to attract more economic development to the 8th District. MORE »
The cost of city employee pensions and health care have been a concern in City Hall. Do you support the 2012 vote that reduced pensions for new employees?
In general, I believe the City should find other ways to balance its budget rather than on the backs of City employees.
Does the City need to take further action in trimming pension costs? If so, what actions do you support? If not, why not?
I believe City Management, Union Leadership and City Council should work with all parties involved to determine the best way to manage pension costs. MORE »
Do you support asking all City employees (unionized and non-unionized) to contribute a portion of their health care premiums (including the LAPD and LAFD)?
Based on the expected new rates with the Federal Affordable Care Act, and assuming the City took advantage of those new lower rates, if there was still a need to lower costs, I would support better negotiations with Healthcare providers to eliminate the need for more employee contributions. MORE »
During the recession, City Hall cut its work force by about 5000 positions. Do you support adding back jobs to return to that level?
I support restoring City services to optimum levels, while striving for and maintaining a balanced budget. MORE »
The District’s boundaries were redrawn in 2010 and litigation contesting various aspects of the changes is still ongoing. Do you support the litigation, or is it time to move on?
During the redistricting, the 8th District lost a lot of great communities. The litigation and its outcomes are pending, for this reason I believe it is important to allow the process to be completed, the people will have an answer, and everyone can then move on.
Recent Police actions against Black citizens have sparked rising tensions with the Los Angeles Police Department (and other law enforcement agencies across the U.S.). Do you believe that the LAPD improperly targets Black residents for enforcement? If yes, what changes should the LAPD take to mediate this problem? If no, what can the LAPD do to quell this perception?
It is common knowledge that Blacks are racially profiled for incidents more often than any other ethnic group. Racial profiling is also an historical phenomenon as it relates to Blacks. MORE »
Do you support an increase in the minimum wage to $13.25/hour (as proposed by Mayor Garcetti) or $15/hour (as proposed by some council members and outside labor/social equity groups)?
I support an increase in the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.