VIDEO Coverage below:

Quick launch audio (podcast) is available here..

Candidates (Council incumbent Al Austin, challengers Juan Ovalle and Tunua Thrash-Ntuk) had two minutes each to respond to eight questions composed by the neighborhood group's leaders. They also had four rebuttal "chits" allowing them one minute to respond to statements made by their ballot opponents and three minutes each for closing statements.. The event at LB's Masonic Lodge drew over 200 people. Ambient sound (from elevated loudspeakers) was fine for room use but challenging for recording.

There were no opening statements Moderator Bob Gill presented candidate-submitted bios (audio here) then moved swiftly into questions on the issues as indicated below.

[Scroll down for further.]

The event at LB's Masonic Lodge (3610 Locust Ave.) drew over 200 people. Each candidate had a visible presence of supporters. Ambient sound (from elevated loudspeakers) was fine for room use but challenging for recording.

There were no opening statements Moderator Bob Gill presented candidate-submitted bios (audio here) then moved swiftly into questions on the issues as indicated below.

• 1. 8th district funding. Do you think our district is receiving its fair share of city resources for infrastructure and services? How will you fight for the 8th district at the Council to ensure our district receives our fair share of funding going forward? (0-5:15)

• 2. Homelessness: As we all know, homelessness is a major issue statewide, in the city and in our district. What is your plan to address homelessness in Long Beach, and specifically in the 8th district, and does it include additional taxes? (5:26-13:35)

• 3. Ballot item Measure A: Long Beach is one of handful of cities in the United States with highest overall sales tax rate in the country. The new ballot Measure A proposes to make the additional one cent sales tax, which was to supposed to end in 2027, continue on forever. Please state if you support or oppose this measure and explain why? (13:37-22:05)

• 4. Business development As our Council representative, please state specifically what actions would you take to help bring desirable businesses to our commercial corridors, help current businesses succeed, heal economic development and spur investment in the 8th district.(22:08-31:15)

• 5. Campaign funding: What percentage of your campaign contributions for this race are from entities not located in Long Beach? Do you thin outside contributions should influence local Long Beach elections? (31:19-37:20)

• 6. Neighborhood safety. Recently we've heard many residents complain there has been a large increase in the level of frustrating crimes such as home, business and car burglaries. What is your view on our police staffing levels and what actions would you take regarding public safety in this budget sensitive environment? (37:27-45:00)

• 7. Public involvement: The 8th district is home to a variety of community and businesses organizations and associations. Please describe how your Council office has or would be engaged with stakeholders and involve them in policymaking decisions that affect all of the community? (45:10-51:55)

• 8. Budget The City is projecting a budget deficit in the near term, not necessarily this time but in the near term. Why do you think this is the case, and as a Councilmember what would you do to put the city budget back into balance? (52:00-1:05:05)

• Closing statements (3 mins each: Austin, Ovalle, Thrash-Ntuk): 1:05:55-1:11:35).

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Eighth district City Council incumbent Al Austin (seeking his third term without a write-in requirement as a result of Charter Amendment BBB) is endorsed by Mayor Robert Garcia and LB's police and firefighter unions. He faces challengers Tunua Thrash-Ntuk (endorsers include the L.A. County Democratic Party and Councilman Rex Richarson) and Juan Ovalle (positions supported by the LB Reform Coalition and endorsed by former 8th dist. Councilmembers Rae Gabelich and Jeff Kellogg.)

Sizable campaign contributions by corporate and organized labor interests have fueled independent expenditure campaigns seeking to influence the outcome of the election in favor of Austin and Thrash-Ntuk. (LBREPORT.com updated "Follow the Money" coverage here and here.)

Vote by mail ballots began circulating Feb. 3. If no candidate receives 50%+1 in the March 5, 2020 race, the top two finishers proceed to a November 2020 runoff.

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