TORRANCE TRIBUNE April 10, 2014 Page 3 Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub ELECTION 2014 Questions for the Mayoral Candidates UCLA doctors right where need them Now open in Redondo Beach You love life in the South Bay — so do we. And we’re proud to now be a part of your local healthcare team. Along with our other South Bay offices, our newest Redondo Beach location means we’re even closer than ever. We offer a variety of specialties, all with one focus — U. ManhattanBeach Torrance • Internal Medicine • Endocrinology • Nephrology • Pulmonary • Sleep Medicine • Family Medicine • Internal Medicine • Pediatrics • Radiology RedondoBeach • Family Medicine • Internal Medicine • Cardiology • Dermatology • Rheumatology Makeanappointment: uclahealth.org/southbay 514 N. Prospect Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 1-855-Go-2-UCLA (1-855-462-8252) uclahealth.org/getsocial UCLA737 Redondo Beach Ad Torrance Tribune BW(PRS1)ms.indd 2 2/12/14 4:08 PM The Torrance Tribune complied a number of questions from Torrance residents and businesses to pose to the candidates for Mayor and City Council. We will publish two questions per week. Each candidate has a 200-word limit per question. Due to space limitations, all answers are in one paragraph form. Herald Publications does not edit or change any candidate’s answers. Tell us about yourself and your connection to Torrance. Tom Brewer: My family moved to Torrance when I was two years old. When my brother and sister and I were growing up, there wasn’t much more than fields of crops and lots of dairies. We could look from our backyard all the way to Crenshaw Elementary School. On Saturday’s my friends and I hopped on our bikes and headed to a very active and vibrant downtown Torrance. I attended Arlington Elementary School, then Hamilton Elementary when it was built, and graduated from North High School. After El Camino College, I graduated from Cal State Long Beach and earned an M.B.A. from Cal State Dominguez Hills. My wife Carolyn and I have a daughter, Chelsea, who will be graduating this year from George Washington University, and beginning law school in the fall. This year I am retiring from my position as a Laboratory Scientist at UCLA Medical Center, a healthcare career has taught me to continuously explore new ways to solve problems. I was very fortunate to be able to see Torrance grow into the city it is today. This gives me a unique perspective that I will bring into office when I’m the mayor of Torrance. Pat Furey: My Wife Terry and I moved to Torrance in 1987 because we recognized it has great schools, wonderful neighborhoods and safe streets. Our two children attended Torrance schools and now our grandchildren do too. And, since we arrived we have always been active in our community - PTA, Scouting, Little League and our local neighborhood homeowners association among other things. We both served on the board of the Torrance Education Foundation where I served as president for four years. The folks we met in elementary school PTA are some of our closest and dearest friends. And, almost 30 years later, I still volunteer as a Little League umpire for all the leagues in our city. Eventually, I was appointed to the Torrance Civil Service Commission and the TUSD Personnel Commission. And, that involvement in City Government led to my being elected as a council member in 2008. Bill Sutherland: My name is Bill Sutherland. I am currently serving as your City Councilman since 2006. I am a 36 year resident of Torrance and my wife Diana has lived in Torrance since she was 9 months old. We have put 4 children through TUSD, kindergarten through graduation from Torrance High School. I have successfully run my own Torrance business for 33 years. My character has been consistent my entire life, I say what I believe and believe what I say. I wear it proudly in every endeavor and that will not change. Beyond my family and the life we have made here, my many long time connections to Torrance include a member of Torrance Rotary for 30 years, as president, as well as many other board positions, I have been a member of Old Torrance Neighbors Association since 1981. I have served 13 years as a board member of the Torrance Salvation Army Advisory Board, with 3 years as its Chairman. Providing fun for over 1200 children in Region 15 AYSO, I was Regional Commissioner for 3 years, Divisional Commissioner, Referee and Coach. I have been involved with Torrance Little League and Torrance American Baseball as a Coach and Umpire. Before becoming a Councilman, I served two consecutive four year terms as a Civil Service Commissioner for the City of Torrance, twice as the Chairman. What inspires you/motivates you to serve the community? Tom Brewer: The city of Torrance is where my parents chose to raise a family and where my wife and I chose to raise ours. I want Torrance to continue to be a safe, vibrant, well balanced city. A city that our residents are proud of and a city that our children want to return to. That’s why I’m so committed to giving back to the city that has always been such an important part of my life. I’ve been actively involved in this community for over thirty years. I could list the many committees and commissions that I have served on, but what is more important is what I’ve accomplished while serving. I convinced the city to incorporate 10 acres of vacant land into Lago Seco Park rather than selling it for condos. When over development faced our city, I formed a coalition of homeowner associations to stop it. This successful campaign led to my election to the city council in 2006. My goal is to build a 21st century city with state-of-the-art public services, that is rich in economic opportunities. I want to improve our city without losing those historical qualities we love. Pat Furey: Terry and I come from families where service is part of the fabric of our being, whether through our church or a community group. And, Torrance is a big city with a small town feel. If you wish to volunteer your time, talent and energy, you can find something that you enjoy doing in your spare time. I believe everyone who volunteers their services does it to make a difference. And, the benefit you receive from doing so is knowing that your community is enriched by your efforts. My service as a council member is a natural extension of service to our community - protecting the quality of life we al enjoy and to even improving it. I recently retired from my service as a child abuse prosecutor for the County of Los Angeles, and believe my education, experience and spirit to serve will be an invaluable asset as Mayor of our great city. Bill Sutherland: I am and have been totally immersed in the City because this is where my heart is. I believe Torrance is a big City that has maintained that “small town feel”. As residents of the downtown area, my wife and I enjoy being able to walk downtown to shop and eat, it has so much to offer. As a Councilman, but more importantly, as a resident of Torrance, I want to support my fellow residents, businesses and the employees of the City of Torrance and provide them the type of leadership they deserve. I answer to only two special interest groups, the residents and businesses of the City of Torrance. The Mayor and Councils decisions affect people’s quality of life for years to come and that is my primary consideration in the decisions I make. I consider the people; they are what make Torrance a great place to Live, Work and Play. I’ve provided Leadership with Integrity and I will continue to do that as your next Mayor. Thank you Candidates! •
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