Richard Montgomery, Manhattan Beach City Council candidate, 2026 election questionnaire – Daily Breeze

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.

Name: Richard P. Montgomery

Age: 56

Current job title: Advertising

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Los Angeles County Small Craft Harbor Commission, Marina Del Ray

City where you reside: Manhattan Beach

Campaign website or social media: Montgomery4council.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

These state housing mandates are ill-thought and ridiculous for a small beach city! The full-time politicians in Sacramento have never visited our city and believe in the “one size fits all” policy when it comes to imposing MULTIFAMILY HOUSING without any restrictions or regard to the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood! These Sacramento politicians have also “obliterated all local control from the cities”! We need to vote for new politicians in Sacramento that believe in a regional approach to multifamily housing (apartments and condominiums) and that will accept input and guidance from the cities! Attempts to force this issue on a statewide ballot measure will continue to fail.

How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

The city does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem! One recent example: This current council spent $100,000 on a study to propose a ballot measure to raise business license fees. Then based on public outcry, the council reversed itself and stopped the proposal. $100,000 gone! Stop hiring unnecessary staff and spending money on ill-advised proposals! I would lead the way in finding ways to reduce “non-public safety and/or structural staff” without sacrificing residents’ service levels. This way we would be able to build up our reserves for emergencies!

The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

The public should expect and be provided “clear and detailed” transparency! No government acronyms or accounting terms that are not easily understood. I would address the transparency issues by hosting community meetings to explain every item so that residents feel heard and action (is) taken.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

In my opinion, the biggest needs facing our city are financial transparency, accountability and the over-hiring of unnecessary and expensive staff. I would address the financial transparency by hosting community meetings to explain where the money went and why. I would also conduct a study to show the amount of staff necessary for each department, then offer options for long-term employees to retire (similar to those we offered in the Great Recession). No hiring of an assistant city manager (completely unnecessary, as I did not have one during the recession or during COVID-19). Also, no deputy police chief! Finally, it’s been two years — can we please REBUILD THE LOT 3 PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN!

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I would continue to be a good leader as I listen to all points of view before making a decision. My leadership style has been on view when I was mayor during the Great Recession and during the worldwide pandemic/COVID-19. Although our city does not contain diverse communities, we often have long-term and short-term residents who have opposing opinions on the direction and actions of the City Council. I have the experience and knowledge to make decisions without leadership paralysis!