SANTA MONICA, CA — As ballots begin to arrive in Santa Monica mailboxes, it’s time for residents to get to know their candidates.
On Nov. 8, 12 candidates will compete for three open seats on the Santa Monica City Council as Lana Negrete, Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Pro Tem Mayor Kristin McCowan all have terms ending this year. Negrete is the only candidate for re-election.
Santa Monica residents will also weigh in on a number of other local elections, including the Santa Monica-Malibu School District and the Santa Monica Rent Control and College Boards.
Visit this link for more information on the upcoming Santa Monica elections and local voting measures.
A number of city council candidates answered questions to introduce themselves to Patch readers. Get to know Troy Harris:
Family
Single, no children, never married but I have a mom and a dad that I love very much.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Nope
Education
BA in Media Arts from the University of Arizona
Occupation
International Sales Manager, UPS and Super Host (Small Business Owner) of an AirBnB Listing
Previous or current elected or appointed position
Former Commissioner of Clean Beaches and the Sea Parcel Tax Committee
Campaign website
troyharris.com
Why are you seeking an elective mandate?
I’m looking for an elective position because I recently found my purpose, to fight for justice, I’ve used it to better my life successfully and now I want to expand that and use it to better the community around me .
What are the main differences between you and the other candidates for this position?
The key difference is that I approach issues with optimism and view each challenge as a gift that illuminates the solution to the core issue which, in our case, is investing in underserved communities through social justice. Our crime and homelessness issues result in short-term issues that need to be addressed, which are serious in nature, such as prosecuting illegal behavior and enforcing anti-vagrancy laws…however, by the logic of MLK, these crimes are the result of injustice, so we must use fair solutions to level the playing field and enable everyone to reach their highest potential, regardless of race or current income level.
If you are a challenger, in what ways has the current board or administrator let down the community (or district or constituency)
The current board has let the city down because it has overspent on things we don’t need, it fails to address the long-term effects of its own racist history, and it doesn’t hold commercial building owners responsible for providing retail to the community.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
The issues that define my campaign are crime, homelessness and economic recovery as well as housing and a push to support local businesses as opposed to large retail chains.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as proof that you can handle this job?
In my role at UPS, I have done nothing but help my clients, who are businesses with multiple stakeholders with competing needs, grow through increased efficiency and make growth a process. hassle-free. It’s been 12 years and for 6 years I’ve been doing international business which means I need the ability to understand and overcome complex challenges with US and foreign customs and explain them to customers from a way that makes it easier for them, which is exactly what I would do for the people of Santa Monica. I have served the community for many years as a Past Commissioner, Co-Chair of Santa Monica Jaycees Civic Engagement, Boys & Girls Club STEM Mentor, Volunteer at United Way, Homeless Count, Heal the Bay and Moreover. I served as president of my local Toastmasters club for a year. I’m dedicated to servant leadership, think outside the box, and love Santa Monica.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
Don’t forget your manners! – Mom
What else would you like voters to know about you and your duties?
I genuinely run away from a place of love that only wants to align with my values as a person, love, justice and community, and practice them in reality. It fulfills me by proving that I’m working to change the things I don’t like about the world I live in, just as much as it helps others by being of service to those in need and making the changes needed to help everyone prosper. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in Phoenix very similar to Santa Monica and faced racism and want to make the world a better place for the next generation of black kids and all kids to grow up in a place that despises racism so that we all have an equal chance to be at our best.
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