Two more join race for H.B. City Council
Two new candidates have entered the race for Huntington Beach City Council, bringing the field of contenders to eight.
Planning Commissioner Erik Peterson, who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2010, and newcomer Robert Wentzel filed their candidate intention statements with the city clerk’s office this week.
Peterson, who owns the communications company Intec Network Solutions in Huntington Beach, said he hoped to win a seat on the dais so he could apply his business skills to the city’s coffers.
“The city’s still having financial problems, and they’re not doing much about them, so I want to get in there and help with the situation,” he said. “Basically, it’s trying to get the city to be fiscally responsible with the money they receive and spend it correctly so we don’t keep losing services.”
Peterson was appointed to the Planning Commission by Councilman Matthew Harper two years ago. Before that, he served on the city’s Finance Board.
Wentzel, a first-time candidate, said he is in the process of organizing his campaign. He works as a self-employed photographer and has lived in Huntington Beach for 20 years.
Among Wentzel’s top priorities, if elected, are ensuring that the Police Department is adequately staffed and upgrading the city’s senior facilities. He would not comment on whether he approves of the proposed senior center in Huntington Central Park, but said the city needs to make upgrades one way or another.
“Right now, the Rodgers Seniors’ Center is woefully lacking,” Wentzel said. “We need to do something more for our seniors.”
Also in the running for council are incumbent Devin Dwyer, Planning Commissioners Barbara Delgleize, Blair Farley and Tim Ryan, Realtor Bruce Brandt and Los Angeles Police Sgt. Jim Katapodis. Three spots are open on the dais this year, with Keith Bohr and Mayor Don Hansen to be termed out.
Twitter: @MichaelMillerHB