Palacio Podcast
Josephine Villasenor: Candidate for Long Beach City Council District 6
Josephine Villasenor sees her campaign as an important voice in the race for the Long Beach City Council seat for District 6. But it’s not just about her voice, “Central Long Beach needs someone that not only talks but knows how to listen.” Villasenor is one of five candidates battling to unseat the incumbent, Vice-Mayor Dee Andrews.
“The reason I’m running for the sixth district is the lack of leadership and the lack of progress that were [sic] promised.”
This is not Villasenor’s first bid for the sixth district seat.
“I ran in 2016 and there were so many promises that were geared up towards that campaign from the incumbent that to this day there’s nothing being done.”
Josephine Villasenor has a list of priority issues that she wants to address if elected. It includes cleaning the business corridor streets, helping small businesses, infrastructure, homelessness (an issue she knows personally), and public safety. They are all issues, says Villasenor, that are not being addressed and it’s why she is stepping up one more time.
“I see my community before and I see it now and it just keeps going down. There’s no leadership whatsoever.”
PalacioMagazine.com interviewed City Council candidates for Districts 2, 6, and 8. We asked each candidate the same three questions with follow-ups for clarification and more in-depth information.
- Why are you running?
- What is your vision for the District?
- Name and discuss two or three Policy issues
PalacioMagazine.com sat down with District 6 candidate Josephine Villasenor to get her answers to these questions.
More on Josephine Villasenor
“Villasenor is from South Whittier, Calif. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in early childhood development. She started the Wrigley Community Watch and belongs to the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance and the MacArthur Park Community Association.” Source: Ballotpedia.org
Editor’s note: Biography provided by Josephine Villasenor (minor editing for clarity): “I am 38 years old (39 on the 17th). I am a survivor of childhood molestation, child rape, adult rape, spousal abuse, and my life experiences has made me more [sic] stronger, more open, more compassionate, more loving and all that has gave [sic] me the leadership skills and motivation to work harder in my community and life. I come from 22 brothers and sisters. I am mixed with Mescalero Apache, Tongva, Cherokee, Sioux, Polynesian, Spaniard, Irish, Mexican-Indian, Argentinean, Maroi, South African, Japanese, I call myself (a) Unicorn.
I grew up in Whittier, CA. (I) moved to Long Beach in 2000.
I have 2 Bachelors Degrees in Business Science of Business Management and Emphasis in Early Childhood Development.
(I) have lived in Long Beach for 20 years and in the 6th District for 15 years. My brother Adolph lived here before me after he came back from the Vietnam War and raised his kids here, then they raised their children and their children.
I am a Small Business Owner for the past 3 years and a Community Activist for 5 years.
Since a resident of 6th District, I have been nonstop for the past 5 years creating programs, cleanups of the community and safe patrols all the while escorting children to school.
I have established Wrigley Community Watch and several other Community Organizations, I am a Volunteer for Long Beach CERT-Community Emergency Response Team, American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, Rubicon Team Member, Red Rover Team Member, Fundraising Chief Coordinator for VIDC-Veterans Independence Day Celebration Organization and among other 18 organizations.
Villasenor answered specific questions on her blog related to sixth district issues including small business:
“What specific proposals do you have to strengthen the business climate of Long Beach and the council district you are seeking/representing? If these proposals cost money, how would you pay for them? How do you plan to attract new businesses that would create additional jobs?
First, I want to implement a program to help small businesses that are struggling to get clients or to even get the word out about their business and then keeping those clients engaged. That is what the Small Business Long Beach Initiative comes in. This is where they can come to help businesses. I want to make sure we are really business-friendly. Right now, I do not see it or feel it and I know of 8 businesses that have closed or are about to close because they think that Long Beach is not a friendly business place even though we say we are. By catering to more diverse businesses we can create more jobs, more opportunities, and more revenue. The program will look at the storefronts that are empty, connect with the property owners and find or headhunt the businesses that will fit within our community. The programs will be free for the first year and then afterward it depends on the growth, revenue and how the program/s has helped the business. We will implement a $50 fee then assess the business. The money that is collected will go back into the program to help other businesses. I also know that parking is an issue and has sought out a plan to create additional parking and car service for our local community.” Read more HERE
For more information on Josephine Villasenor, visit her blog and her Facebook page HERE.
More on the March 3, 2020 Election
- Feb 03, 2020-Feb 25, 2020: Vote by Mail — First and last day to apply. VBM Applications may be submitted between these dates (both dates inclusive). Applications received prior to the 29th day preceding the election will be kept and processed during this period.
- Feb 18, 2020: Last day to register to vote.
- Feb 22, 2020-Mar 03, 2020: Vote Centers Voting Period. Vote Centers open beginning 10 days prior to the election day.
- Mar 03, 2020: Election Day
Visit the Long Beach City Clerk website for more information on the candidates and ballot measures.
