MB News to Sponsor City Council Candidate Forum Oct. 17
Sep 28, 2024 09:47AM ● By Mb News Staff
Manhattan Beach City Council candidates, clockwise from top left: Steve Charelian, Joe Franklin, Karen Komatinsky, Nina Tarnay, Brenda O'Leary, Joe Marcy.
Manhattan Beach News, along with the League of Women Voters and the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, will hold a City Council candidates' forum on Thursday, October 17.
All six candidates have confirmed that they will appear at the forum, which will be held at Mira Costa High School's small theater from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all.
Audience members many submit questions at the event. The questions will be sorted and will be asked of all candidates by a moderator from the League of Women Voters.


Six Candidates Vying for Three Seats
Six candidates have filed for three open
seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council. Manhattan Beach residents
will vote for its new City Council members in the general election on
November 5.
The three seats are currently held
by Mayor Joe Franklin (who is running for re-election) and
Councilmembers Richard Montgomery and Steve Napolitano (both of whom are
not running again).
Members elected to the City Council serve for a four-year term.
The six candidates, in alphabetical order, include:
Steve Charelian:
Charelian recently retired after 35 years of working for the city
Manhattan Beach and served as finance director since 2018. He has been a
volunteer with MB Little League, AYSO and Summer Sunset Basketball
League. Website: https://www.votesteve4mbcouncil.com/
Joe Franklin:
Franklin is currently the mayor of Manhattan Beach. A retired business
executive, he is known for his advocacy for ebike safety and has served
on multiple city-wide committees and commissions. Website: https://www.votejoefranklin.com/
Karen Komatinsky:
Komatinsky, a longtime community volunteer and 30-year HR veteran,
served for 10 years as a Manhattan Beach school board member and
currently serves on the Manhattan Beach Parks and Rec Commission.
Website: https://www.komatinsky.com/
Joe Marcy:
Marcy is a meetings and travel professional who has served as president
of the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair for three terms and currently
serves on the city's Parking and Public Improvements Commission.
Website: https://joemarcy.com/
Brenda O'Leary:
Brenda O’Leary is an investment management industry veteran and active
community volunteer. She currently serves as an alternate on Manhattan
Beach's Outdoor Dining Ad Hoc Task Force. Website: https://www.brendaoleary.com/
Nina Tarnay:
Tarnay is an attorney with experience in municipal, contract, business
and water law. She is a trustee of the Providence Little Company of Mary
Foundation and an active community and schools volunteer. Website: https://ninatarnay.com/