As we build up to the General Municipal Election on June 2, the GVN will be speaking to the candidates, continuing with Council Member Rodney Tanaka, who is looking to retain his seat on the City Council…
You’ve served on the council for many years now — what keeps you enthusiastic about local politics as you enter another election?
As I have served two terms on our council, I feel that the decisions, actions and overall accomplishments so far, have made our city the best in the South Bay. With that being said, I am excited and enthusiastic to see what more we can do to make Gardena even more successful and attractive. I believe that when working together, our council can showcase our great city through our restaurants, our community events, roadways, shopping centers and overall beauty of our city. Being able to represent and promote Gardena is what I live for!
Where have the current council (including yourself) been successful, and where have they been less so?
I truly believe it takes a cohesive unit to be successful in anything you do. If our current council was just a bit more interactive and understood that it is okay to agree to disagree, there would be less friction with some discussions. That being said, there have been some really successful events done by our council. Our police department has almost reached its full complement of personnel. Our roadways continue to be the best in the state and we continue to bring in businesses that complement our community. Sprouts is coming, we have almost any ethnic food restaurant you can imagine. We have purchased property to build a senior center on Rosecrans Avenue, built a new aquatic center and senior services center at the PRIMM pool site. We have new housing, city facility infrastructure upgrades and roadway improvements on Rosecrans Avenue, Artesia Boulevard and on Redondo Beach Boulevard. Lastly, we as a city, continue to provide awesome services to our seniors, youth and community, by presenting over 100 city events that promote unity and pride in our city.
If successful, what are your priorities going forward?
When re-elected, I will continue to represent our community and our citizens with the highest degree of care and compassion. I have always put our seniors and youth at the top of my list, because these are the ones we need to care for and nurture. Our beginning and our future, I will also continue to assure, our police and fire personnel are the best in the South Bay so that our community is the safest it can be. Our citizens need to know that the can rely on quick response times and professional and courteous service. Our infrastructure and housing needs have to be what is best for our community and I will do my best to keep local control a priority. We cannot allow Sacramento to tell us how to run our city and spend our resources.
How is the campaign going so far?
The campaign is a work in progress …there is much to do this campaign due to working hard to return for my last term in office. With the number of candidates running, I have to assure that the community sees me as a candidate they can continue to trust to be their champion and their voice. With any campaign, there are always going to bumps in the road but, for the most part, if we are all respectful and courteous of one another, it will be over before we know it.
What makes Gardena special?
Gardena is a really special city because of how far we have come since we started as a city. I have been of service to our great city in the days that we were not the most favored or liked city in the South Bay. But, as time has gone by, Gardena has become the “Gem of the South Bay” where everyone wants to be a part of our city. We have great diversity, not only in our population, but also in our restaurants, our stores, our festivals and in the things that we celebrate as a community. MLK Parade, Cinco de Mayo Parade, AAPI festival, Juneteenth celebration, we try to show case all that we have. Gardena continues to grow and we want to be the best we can be…The Emerald City.
What would you like to say to the people of Gardena?
To the citizens of Gardena, I would first, like to thank you for allowing me to serve you for the past two terms, 9 years total as your Council Member. I truly hope that you have seen how much the city means to me personally and that I have done my best a represent you and fight for what is best for our community. I do not purport to make everyone happy but, I can assure you that I make decisions that what I see as best for our community. What I can tell you, when re-elected, I will do my very best to continue my exemplary service to city, community and most importantly to you, the citizens of Gardena. So, please vote on 02 June for Rodney G. Tanaka for City Council.
