“Bye Bye Toyota, You Finally Left,” Mayoral Candidates Offer Vision for Future at North Torrance Election Forum
At the mayoral forum held last night at the North High library, Furey was asked to provide his short and long term vision for Torrance. In response, Furey said that we have to bring businesses to the City. In reference to Toyota leaving he dismissively quipped, “Bye, bye Toyota, you finally left.” Furey then said he recently traveled to Israel to meet with a number of high tech industries that are interested in locating to California in an attempt to sell them on the Toyota campus.
Tom Brewer’s vision included updating the General Plan and looking at the budget. He said that revenues were flat and that the City needed to figure out what they were going to do with mounting expenses like pension obligations.
Political newcomer Ron Riggs articulated his vision for Torrance in the wake of Toyota’s departure by stating:
“As the owner of two millennials, one 26 and one 27, I see the future for the South Bay here. My kids aren’t able to move out right now because they are having issues with affordable housing, but also we’re having issues with employment here … I’d like to bring Silicon beach this way and work on Software.com’s and I would really like to have more senior housing.”
Brewer and Furey also took turns sparring at one another during the forum. At mayoral forums in the last campaign four years ago, Furey and Brewer were mostly friendly and complimentary of one another. Not so this time around as there appears to be no love lost between the candidates.
In his opening statement, Brewer remarked upon an issue that has dogged Furey during his whole term in office by saying:
“You might hear tonight that campaign contributions won’t affect a Council vote, but we saw how $40,000 in illegal campaign contributions got McCormick ambulance their contract and the mayor a $35,000 fine from the FPPC … This is an example of what I feel is poor judgement and/or influences harmful to our City. Under my leadership, Torrance will not be for sale to special interests.”
Brewer returned to that same theme in his closing statement when he said, “I am running for Mayor because so many in our community are unhappy with our current leadership. If no change is made, I am concerned that campaign contributions will influence more decisions by the City Council. I am not the only one that is unhappy with the leadership in our City. I have the endorsements of half of the Council … They want new leadership as well … Let’s restore integrity and respect to Torrance.”
Furey used his closing arguments to accuse Brewer of slinging mud. In reference to his rival, he said:
“As you can see one candidate has started a mudslinging campaign this election; as he did last time. I don’t believe that to be the Torrance way. Torrance is better than that. Folks, I have never voted for a contract or an issue based on a campaign contribution. Campaign contributions are an evil necessity of running for office … when he goes low, I’ll just go higher.”
Mudslinging when telling the truth….. liberals try so hard to validate their wrongs…… the people are fed up!
I agree with “Living in Torrance”. It is so easy to dismiss one’s misdeeds when it is expedient to do so. Furey threw his own son under a bus by stating that he did not know anything about the deal his son made with McCormick. If a father would do something like that to protect himself, what what else would he do to protect his position? We need a new leader at the helm. Another disgruntled Torrance Resident.
“Bye-bye Toyota”?! Guess they wouldn’t give Furey money.
Go Tom Brewer!
Tom Brewer is more of the same. Look at his flyer recommendations. Even Scotto is backing him–what a loser.
What are you talking about. Mr. Brewer is talking about real issues facing our city. I’ve been to 2 forums and I haven’t heard Mr. Furey or Mr. Riggs talk about anything of substance. Mr. Furey talks about his travels to Israel and China with nothing to show for the trips. Mr. Furey talks about all of his union endorsements which means he owes them now. Mr. Furey denies there is a looming pension problem claiming that a $10M investment will fix our $400M unfunded pension liability. Time for a new mayor that understands the issues.
Sue, I’m playing my violin while you are dreaming. I certainly agree Dissy has to go but Brewer is not the replacement and I’m not sure there is one. Look back on Brewer’s history (and Scotto’s) and see he has been part of the problem. The current talking means little compared to action. The city’s financial problems go back further than Dizzy or Brewer but neither one has attempted to fix them. I still say, if Brewer wins it will be more of the same.
Tom Brewer? The guy with the huge public pension who wants to cut everybody’s public pensions? I got his flier in the mail, and his entire plan is to continue doing what the current Mayor is doing, except with him as Mayor instead. Campaigning to replace somebody and then keep things exactly the same is definitely an interesting strategy. Also interesting that he would choose to share a mailer with Omar Navarro, the special ed kid who keeps running for office and was recently arrested for stalking his ex-wife. And lets not get into his political consultant who was convicted of taking nudie pics of underage girls.
I’m no Omar fan at all, but those are pretty slanderous comments. Proof?
This work for you? https://www.dailybreeze.com/2017/10/19/congressional-candidate-omar-navarro-on-probation-for-illegal-use-of-tracking-device/
Thanks; it’s a bit thin on details… anyway, far be it from me to defend Omar on anything. Furey was out of line too (I was at that meeting). But Furey is often out of line; his arrogance is appalling.
UGH.
Better than the walking rumor mill, Tom Brewer. The guy is constantly “leaking secrets” about people and personally trash talking his opponents and their families. And we aren’t talking difference of opinion on policy. It always starts the same, “I heard that…” He has such a reputation in the community as somebody who lies and makes up stories about people he doesn’t like. That’s how he lost my support in 2014 after I had voted for him every other time he ran for office. Never seen somebody turn on their friends (Furey and Sutherland) in such a demeaning way simply to win an office.
Furey worked to protect kids from child abuse for 20 years. Tom Brewer employs a child abuser to run his campaign. Not a hard choice.
Most criminals have some redeeming qualities…
Here’s that one too –
http://archive.easyreadernews.com/archives/news2001/0621/rb%20Shortridge.php