Cindy Allen, Contributor To Mayor Garcia & Multiple Council Incumbents/Previous LBPost Publisher/Owner, Sells Her Ad/Marketing Agency, Presumed Prepping To Enter 2nd Dist. Council Race
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(Oct. 3, 2019, 8:40 a.m.) -- Cindy Allen, a contributor to the election/ re-election and officeholder accounts of Mayor Robert Garcia and multiple LB City Council incumbents and from roughly 2013 until mid-June 2018 the owner/publisher of LBPost.com, has sold her downtown LB ad/marketing agency ETA Advertising fueling speculation that she's preparing to enter the 2nd dist. Council race.
In an Oct. 2 release, ETA's purchaser (Blume Media Group) announced that effective Oct. 1 it has entered into a "definitive agreement" to acquire ETA, said Ms. Allen "no longer has any ownership in ETA" and "will transition from the business to pursue other opportunities." Blume's release added that a member of Ms. Allen's ETA's team, Adam Carrillo [the spouse of former 1st dist. LB Councilwoman now-state Senator Lena Gonzalez] will "continue to lead the team" as an Executive VP for Blume Studios.
Ms. Allen has made contributions to the election, re-election and/or officeholder accounts of the following:
Garcia for Mayor 2018 (May 3, 2017): $800 [spouse Randy Allen made similar $800 contribution]
Lena Gonzalez for City Council 2018:(June 26, 2017): $400
Lena Gonzalez officeholder account 2014: (Mar. 5, 2018): $500
Austin for City Council 2016 (Feb. 8, 2016): $200
Roberto Uranga for City Council 2018 (June 27, 2017): $400
Stacy Mungo CD 5 2018: (June 26, 2017): $400
Rich Dines for City Council (Feb. 1, 2018, challenger to 5th dist incumbent Mungo): $400
Suzie Price for City Council (June 30, 2017): $400
Rex Richardson 2018 (June 15, 2017): $400
Mary Zendejas for City Council [1st dist. candidate/Garcia-Gonzalez endorsee/Nov. 2019 election]: Aug. 27, 2019: $400
Ms. Allen, a former LBPD officer, is the spouse of Randall Allen (LBPD Commander/retired in 2018.) Her now-formerly owned ETA agency has a six figure contract with the City of Long Beach (most recent amendment visible here.
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Three of six currently announced challengers to 2nd dist. incumbent Jeannine Pearce in March 2020 have filed paperwork to date to raise funds. Robert Fox, a 2nd district businessman and property owner, has the largest campaign challenger warchest to date coupled with a history of successfully organizing grassroots opposition to City Hall policies. Earlier this year, Mr. Fox gave voice to local business and resident opposition to a City Hall installed Broadway corridor "road diet" (former city traffic engineer has now exited, Public Works now making some changes with Fox seeking further.) Mr. Fox has more recently advocated reducing parking fines in the parking-impacting 2nd district (increased in Mayor/Council approved FY20 budget) and criticized other Mayor/Council budgeted spending items.
In 2017 into early 2018, Fox catalyzed citywide opposition to city-staff sought density-increases to LB's Land Use Element revision, amplifying his advocacy by revitalizing LB's previously moribund citywide Council of Neighborhood Organizations. His more recent actions follow his involvement in 1980's opposition City Hall allowed developer-driven "crackerbox" apartment density (that ultimately led to the early 1990's replacement of the 2nd district's then-Council incumbent.)
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2nd district challenger Jeanette Barrera has been critical of certain City actions but generally more muted in criticism of City Hall policies. September-filed candidate Nigel Lifsey is currently unknown to us.
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Councilwoman Pearce (elected in 2016) faced an attempted recall [on which petition signature gathering fell short] but ended up censured in a March 2018 Council vote (LBREPORT.com coverage here.) Earlier this year, LB's City Attorney's office issued a report that concluded/alleged that Pearce hadn't fully disclosed certain outside income on a legally required annual filed/subsequently amended form that the City Attorney's office has opined created conflict of interest issues on certain Council votes Pearce cast (LBREPORT.com coverage here.) LB's City Prosecutor's office has referred related matters to the L.A. County DA's office for its review (in process now.)
In the March 2020 election cycle, 2nd district residents will either elect a new 2nd district Councilmember outright (if he/she receives over 50%+1 of the vote) or (in a multi-candidate field) more likely send the top two finishers to a November 2020 runoff.
Mayor Garcia, who has endorsed and/or used political fundraising mechanisms to support the re-election of Council incumbents in districts 4, 6 and 8, has remained publicly silent re district 2 thus far. He recently scheduled a fundraiser in the coming weeks for his "officeholder" account from which he could use contributions for a number of political purposes.
Developing.
Some text polished for clarity, not substance, Oct. 4, 4:50 a.m.
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