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Of the three candidates running for Torrance City Clerk, Jay Scharfman, Rebecca Poirier, and Gina Semana, Gina is the only candidate whom I have had the privilege of meeting and hearing from.
She is the only candidate who is not taking union money or has connections with political insiders.
She has received my vote for City Clerk, and I hope that other Torrance residents extend to her the same courtesy on June 3rd.
1. Why are you
running for city clerk this year? Did you ever plan on running for
office before?
running for city clerk this year? Did you ever plan on running for
office before?
I am running for City Clerk because I believe the office can be
run in a more effective, efficient, and timely manner. I have worked in the Torrance City Clerk’s
office since 2001 and decided 6 years ago that when our current City Clerk
retired I would step up and run for office.
I have been able to see where office duties can be improved and
streamlined and other processes which are not currently being handled
efficiently.
run in a more effective, efficient, and timely manner. I have worked in the Torrance City Clerk’s
office since 2001 and decided 6 years ago that when our current City Clerk
retired I would step up and run for office.
I have been able to see where office duties can be improved and
streamlined and other processes which are not currently being handled
efficiently.
Providing information to the public is one of our main duties as
City Clerk and we need to provide that information in an unbiased and
professional manner. I believe I am that
person who can bring my natural leadership ability, the working relationships I
currently have with city employees at all levels and the voice to speak up in
providing an open government to the people.
City Clerk and we need to provide that information in an unbiased and
professional manner. I believe I am that
person who can bring my natural leadership ability, the working relationships I
currently have with city employees at all levels and the voice to speak up in
providing an open government to the people.
2. What is your political party affiliation? Why?
Republican
My strong belief in their core values
3. Tell us about your prior professional/political
experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?
experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?
My professional experience has been a total of 15 years in the
public sector with 13 of those years in the City Clerk’s office and during that
time I have seen where many improvements can be made and processes handled in a
more efficient and timely manner.
Cross-training and succession planning are a huge priority for me so
that if anyone was to call or come in to our office requesting information any
of our eight team members should be able to assist with knowledge and
confidence. Currently, each position is
specialized and it is difficult to provide assistance or information if that
team member is out of the office.
public sector with 13 of those years in the City Clerk’s office and during that
time I have seen where many improvements can be made and processes handled in a
more efficient and timely manner.
Cross-training and succession planning are a huge priority for me so
that if anyone was to call or come in to our office requesting information any
of our eight team members should be able to assist with knowledge and
confidence. Currently, each position is
specialized and it is difficult to provide assistance or information if that
team member is out of the office.
4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you
implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic
activity in the City of Torrance.
implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic
activity in the City of Torrance.
As a City Clerk candidate I do not have the ability to implement
policies in bringing in new business, however, I do support increased economic
development and activity to bring in more business as well as working with the
businesses that are here and keeping them in Torrance.
policies in bringing in new business, however, I do support increased economic
development and activity to bring in more business as well as working with the
businesses that are here and keeping them in Torrance.
5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety
in Torrance?
in Torrance?
I do not currently have concerns about the crime or public
safety in our city. We have an excellent police department.
safety in our city. We have an excellent police department.
6. There are growing revelations about the city's
massive pension liabilities — $400 million, an online reports
confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least
$100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do
you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?
massive pension liabilities — $400 million, an online reports
confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least
$100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do
you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?
I was concerned a few years ago, I believe it was 2005, when the
CalPERS contract was negotiated and amended for our safety personnel with the
3% at 50 plan and see how that has affected our city now with the
pensions. I agree we need to make
changes and see the big picture.
CalPERS contract was negotiated and amended for our safety personnel with the
3% at 50 plan and see how that has affected our city now with the
pensions. I agree we need to make
changes and see the big picture.
7. How have residents and prospective voters responded
to your campaign?
to your campaign?
I have had great support from residents, prospective voters, as
well as city employees regarding my campaign.
While I have been out precinct walking several people I met in the
beginning were surprised to hear about the election and also that the City
Clerk position is elected. One of the
duties as a City Clerk is to get the information out to the voters and it has
been a pleasure providing that information along the way.
well as city employees regarding my campaign.
While I have been out precinct walking several people I met in the
beginning were surprised to hear about the election and also that the City
Clerk position is elected. One of the
duties as a City Clerk is to get the information out to the voters and it has
been a pleasure providing that information along the way.
I do hope that people are informed when they go to the polls.
The fact that we will be getting a new mayor, four new councilmembers, and a
city clerk is the first time in Torrance history that has happened with such a
HUGE turn over in our local government.
The fact that we will be getting a new mayor, four new councilmembers, and a
city clerk is the first time in Torrance history that has happened with such a
HUGE turn over in our local government.
For more information, please visit http://www.ginasemana4cityclerk.com/