by Mark McDermott
Six candidates filed nomination papers to run for the Manhattan Beach City Council in the upcoming November 5 election.
Three seats on the council dais are up for election. Councilmembers Richard Montgomery, and Steve Napolitano are termed out, and Mayor Joe Franklin is running for a second term. The other four candidates are all new to municipal politics, but all are familiar names in the community.
Steve Charelian was a City of Manhattan Beach employee for 32 years and retired as city finance director last month.
Karen Komatinsky served two terms on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Education and serves as a city commissioner.
Joe Marcy is a city commissioner and served as president of the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Association.
Brenda O’Leary served on the City’s Outdoor Dining Committee and often speaks at City Council.
Nina Tarnay has likewise often provided public input at Council meetings and has been a volunteer in several local non-profits, including the PTA, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, and the Skechers Friendship Walk.
Charelian’s entry in the public fray after three decades as a public servant was hinted at by City Manager Bruce Moe, when Moe announced his retirement. In his candidate statement, Charelian emphasizes his experience in overseeing the City’s $165 million budget and stewardship in maintaining its coveted AAA bond rating. His platform is a long list of bullet points that includes prioritizing public safety, focusing on e-bike enforcement, opposing outsourcing of MBFD to LA County, street and infrastructure maintenance, expanding senior recreation programs, and improving transparency and communication to residents.
Franklin, as the only incumbent, also has the advantage of running while serving his rotation as mayor. He is a commercial real estate professional who ran four years after three decades of community volunteering. In his candidate statement, he likewise provided a list of bullet points, including support for strong prosecution of state misdemeanors (which includes support for LA County District Attorney George Gascon’s recall and the election of his opponent, Nathan Hochman), his approval on council of adding seven MBPD officers, his proactive work on e-bike enforcement and education, fiscal responsibility, strong homeless solutions and enforcement, local zoning control — including a reference to his opposition to the HighRose project — and a strong City-MBUSD relationship, referencing his support for the Measure MB parcel tax in March that helped avoid teacher layoffs.
“Promises made. Promises kept,” Franklin wrote. “I was elected to Council four years ago when unprecedented challenges faced our City.I promise to continue bringing common-sense, independent leadership that puts Manhattan Beach residents, small businesses and schools first.”
Komatinsky, an HR executive with 30 years experience, has been deeply involved with MBUSD schools and leadership for two decades, including her 10 years serving as a school board member, and board president. She also served as a City Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Her candidate statements emphasize this experience, including her oversight of balanced budgets and healthy reserves, management of three bond campaigns that delivered on new facilities on time and on budget, prioritization of school safety, and partnership with the City on shared use agreements. As a commissioner, Komatinksy touts establishing the LoveMB Foundation and work on the renovation of Sand Dune Park, and proposed renovation of Begg Pool.
“My family and I have proudly called Manhattan Beach home for 25 years,” Komatinsky wrote. “I love our city. As a member of the City Council, I will focus on public safety, advocate for effective financial management and growth, collaborate with residents and stakeholders, and protect our beaches.”
Marcy, a non-profit executive, is a Manhattan Beach native. His campaign statement emphasizes his deep roots in the community. His listed priorities include increasing the police presence, preserving Manhattan Beach’s small town beach culture, honoring hometown heroes, veterans, volunteers, and young leaders, supporting local schools, businesses, and legacy events, implementing aggressive timelines to “get things done”, and “stop wasting tax dollars and distractions that don’t benefit our community.”
“As a Manhattan Beach native, I care very deeply about our community,” Marcy wrote. “I was born and raised in this city and am a proud product of our MB public schools. I believe this community needs homegrown leadership represented on its City Council — someone who understands where we’ve been and who we’re trying to become. Let’s focus on being proactive, strategic, innovative, and fiscally responsible, prioritizing the health and safety of our community.”
O’Leary, a capital markets and real estate investment professional, emphasizes both her 25 years of business experience and her passion for bringing outdoor dining to Manhattan Beach. “The vision we’ve created to bring back outdoor dining will enhance our beautiful town. As a 30-year resident, implementing this vision is a meaningful way for me to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family,” she wrote in her statement.
O’Leary has an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business and heads her own consulting firm. In her statement, she said she would bring her business experience to bear on the council.
“As an investment management professional, I appreciate the importance of fiscal responsibility.” she wrote. “I promise to make the best use of your tax dollars, from supporting public safety such as our police and fire departments, to sponsoring the events that bring our community together and help our small businesses thrive. I will leverage my real estate development experience to help us maintain local control over development.”
Tarnay, a former attorney who obtained her degree at Loyola, emphasizes both her experience working in the public sector and her varied work on behalf of local non-profits. In her candidate statement, she noted that she contracted for the City of El Segundo’s Public Works and Building Safety departments
“I authored RFP’s and staff reports, negotiated contracts, and oversaw a multi-year green initiative,” she wrote. “As the Administrator of the West Basin Water Association and Water Rights Panel for nearly a decade, I’ve been a careful steward of conservation non-profits, managing finances, websites, and meetings; and handling governmental and court filings.”
She wrote that she and her husband moved to Manhattan Beach 25 years ago to raise a family “in a tight-knit community with excellent public schools.” Her volunteer work grew from this.
“I’ve always served my community: as a PTA exec board member, team mom and booster chair, and as Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation Trustee, fundraiser, and healthcare outreach chair,” Tarnay wrote. “I bring skill and experience to the steps of City Hall fueled by passion and commitment to serve all community members with integrity and accountability. If elected, I’ll prioritize public safety, enhance our partnership with MBUSD, and work with local businesses and residents to preserve Manhattan Beach’s signature hometown feel.” ER
