Resident group backs Team H.B. for council

A grassroots residents group has come forward to endorse Team Huntington Beach for City Council.

The Huntington Beach Downtown Residents Assn. announced Sept. 15 that it is backing Planning Commissioner Blair Farley, and Wednesday, the group also announced support for former Mayor Connie Boardman and Joe Shaw.

The association started in 2009 to fight a portion of the Downtown Specific Plan that proposed demolishing the Main Street branch library and Triangle Park to create a cultural arts center.

Farley, Boardman and Shaw are running as Team Huntington Beach against 18 other candidates for four open seats that will be vacated by Mayor Cathy Green, Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Hardy, Councilman Gil Coerper and possibly Councilman Joe Carchio, who is up for reelection.

Although there are four open seats, the three are the only candidates the association feels comfortable backing, said Kim Kramer, the association's spokesman.

The three all have a four-year degree, experience and no business, political or personal ties with current council members, according to the association.

— Britney Barnes