Furey: Torrance is a Conservative City (Let It Stay That Way)

At the December 2nd, 2014 Torrance City Council Meeting, Mayor Pat Furey commented the following about the city of Torrance:

". . .the conservative nature of our city."

That fact cannot be ignored, but that a registered Democrat made that remark is all the  more telling.

Torrance is a conservative city, and should not change that characteristic.

No city thrives on (modern) liberal policies. Inglewood, Carson, and even Hawthorne have struggled with fiscal mismanagement, electoral misconduct, and malfeasance for years. Hawthorne is bouncing back somewhat, with more businesses investing, and better school opportunities emerging with charter schools and the emergence of Wiseburn as a new, Unified, School District.

In a way, it would appear that Hawthorne is learning to develop just like Torrance, which is a conservative city, and every member of the city council must respect that. Let us hope that Inglewood also learns from Torrance's example, along with Lennox, and key sections of South Los Angeles.

What defines "conservative", anyway?

It starts with strong families.

Families create strong members of the community, and businesses create profit and investment for growth and opportunity. Families which develop maturity, not dependence. Homes where parents are responsible for their children, and care about their kids going to good schools.

Cities cannot thrive if individuals do not thrive. Individuals do not thrive with big government, but they do thrive when individuals have the choice to go to good schools, find good jobs, and invest in business opportunities. Torrance leaders and residents have understood these necessary elements.

It is that simple. Torrance is a conservative city, and it should stay that way.

With these remarks in mind, I was glad to hear members both Democrat and Republican talking about paying down pension debts, ensuring safe roads, and fulfilling the necessary promises to build up and support the city's sagging infrastructure.

I am still waiting for the city council to discuss enacting labor contracts with more discretion for city leaders to contract out needed city services. I would like to see one or two members discuss bringing a right-to-work initiative to city workers, too.

I just spoke with a local business leader, and he informed me that the city would fine him if he posted advertisements on the sidewalk. Realtors are allowed to post signs on sidewalks and street corners. Why not him, or other businesses?

I would also like to know who the city plans on revitalizing the Toyota buildings, which will be vacant in the next two years. Another local leader suggested to me that this vacancy presents expanded opportunity. I could not agree more, but what options are available to us at this time? Has the new council learned from the mistakes of the past council? According to a number of observers, the council

So, Mayor Furey, no  matter what your political beliefs, Torrance is indeed a conservative city, but not just because of voting patterns. No city can survive, let alone thrive, without conservative principles: the integrity of families, financial restraint business opportunities, a sound infrastructure, and the rule of law. The city must stay that way, for it will grow and thrive in no other way.