Editor's note: MB News has offered each candidate for city council the opportunity to publish a "closing argument." Three are to be published Monday, and three on Tuesday. The order of publication was randomly selected.

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When I decided to run for office, I didn’t know what to expect. Some of our recent elections have been very contentious.

But this local election has been…ENLIGHTENING. It’s been a meaningful opportunity to get out there and meet people from our community and listen to what matters to them. One of the things I hear over and over is people value our “small town character” and want to preserve it for the next generation. 

The history of Manhattan Beach is a small town within a big city where people look out for one another and feel safe. Our restaurants and our businesses are locally owned, and our police and fire sponsor car shows and pancake breakfasts. Our families are multi-generational, and our kids graduate from our public schools. 

People ask me how we can preserve this character considering the new challenges we face, such as increased tourism, homelessness, housing affordability issues for our next generation including huge property tax increases because of Prop 19, and the “Amazon Effect” of online shopping creating headwinds for our small businesses.   

As a 33-year resident and a mom to a MCHS 2023 grad, I share this sentiment. I’m running for City Council because I believe I can make a difference. 

I am the candidate with the MOST business experience, by far actually. I’ve worked in the investment management industry for 33 years, representing numerous companies from big banks such as Wells Fargo and BNY Mellon to small family offices. I ran a business development division of a $100+ billion bond manager for a decade. 

Like our small businesses, I know what it’s like to start each new year with aggressive goals and wonder to yourself, “How will I get there?” And then put one foot in front of the other and eventually make it work. I’ve succeeded in a highly competitive industry, not because I always had the best product, but because I’ve valued relationships and creativity. 

Eight years ago, I helped my husband start a real estate development company that focuses on the life sciences. That company was recently purchased by the largest healthcare developer in the US, bringing many resources to the table.   

I can help Manhattan Beach. I will help our small businesses succeed through a creative approach to “experience shopping” which brings our residents into town. This includes a more thoughtful approach to outdoor dining and well-planned solutions to our parking issues. I will bring a fresh perspective to the fiscal management of our city and look closely at our salaries and our pension liabilities. 

In an era where the state is challenging our local control over development, I will ensure we don’t lose our charm to new development (no one wants to be Santa Monica). I will help us maintain our multi-generational community, creating a path forward for new generations. 

Our seniors are our largest population, and I will value the contribution they have made and ensure the Scout House gets built for them (seniors, you have my word). 

My introduction to politics in our community started by speaking out against conflicts such as attempts to ban books in our schools, as well as supporting our LGBTQ+ students. Most recently, I’ve become concerned that our Jewish neighbors feel unsafe based on the rise in antisemitism. I promise to stand against all forms of hate and use my leadership to unite our community. 

For more information about my views on the current ballot initiatives, please visit my website at brendaoleary.com.

I respectfully ask for the opportunity to represent you and promise to serve you well. 

And GO Dodgers!