Hear Them: 8th Council District Candidates Al Austin vs. Lillian Kawasaki At Los Cerritos Forum; Successor To Councilwoman Gabelich Will Have Citywide Voting Power On Issues Incl. Public Safety, City Services & Spending, Land Use & Development Projects

(March 9, 2012) -- Just days before voting begins with vote-by-mail ballots (polling place "election day" is April 10), 8th dist. City Council candidates Al Austin and Lillian Kawasaki participated in a March 7, 2012 forum presented by the Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association.

The outcome of the election, to be decided by 8th district residents, will give decision making power to the winner on issues including public safety, city services and spending, land use and development citywide,

Mr. Austin, foreground photo left; Ms. Kawasaki, foreground photo right

The format, moderated and created in part by former 8th dist. Councilman and current LBCC Trustee Jeff Kellogg, forbid candidates from using notes or computers and included "lightning round" questions (yes, no or no-opinion answers), plus questions from one candidate directed to the other, and questions submitted by the community before the event.

[Moderator Kellogg indicated that a third candidate, Gustavo Rivera, had been invited but did not provide a response.]

LBReport.com provides extended audio coverage. To launch audio, click here. [Note: Room audio was from a speaker mounted near the ceiling; the ambient audio is quite audible although less than perfect.]

Some examples of questions and answers that caught our attention:

• Name three specific people or groups you'd want people to know support your candidacy? Mr. Austin cited Councilwoman Gabelich, former Councilman Webb and the LB Police Officers Ass'n; Ms. Kawasaki cited former Mayor Beverly O'Neill, County Supervisor Don Knabe and LB School Bd member Mary Stanton.

• Name three specific people or groups you'd want people to know support your opponent? Mr. Austin notes LB Area Chamber, which sought larger Airport than Council ultimately approved, supports Ms. Kawasaki; Ms. Kawasaki declines to answer.

• [Community submitted question] What if an airlines sues the city and challenges the noise ordinance and the limit on the number of flights, arguing the larger terminal can accommodate more people and aircraft [and says] City's action of enlarging the facility is clear message LB wants more flights, that a more active airport benefits the City financially with tourism and the only opposition is a small but vocal minority. How would you respond to those statements? [Use audio for the candidates' full answers.]

Some Lightning Round questions (support, oppose or no opinion):