The filing period for three open city council seats and the treasurer position has officially been closed for the upcoming November 5 citywide election. Nine candidates will be in the running to fill the three vacancies on the council as well as the position of city treasurer.
Current city councilmembers Patrick “Kit” Bobko and Jeff Duclos are running for reelection. Council member Howard Fishman said he will not seek reelection.
Nanette B. Barragan, John Bowler, H.S. Fangary, Carolyn Petty, and former Hermosa Beach Police Chief Greg Savelli, have all filed to run for the three available seats.
The race for the treasurer’s office will be between Certified Public Accountant and Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce board member Karen S. Nowicki and retired manager and former 16-year councilmember J.R. Reviczky.
The position was vacated mid-term by former treasurer David Cohn citing his age and other responsibilities in a resignation letter submitted to the city. At that time, Cohn was also embroiled in a scandal with a masseuse who allegedly stole his iPad after a massage at Cohn’s Hermosa residence. According to police reports, the masseuse attempted to extort money from Cohn in exchange for deleting the contents of the tablet. She also told authorities that Cohn tried to have sex with her during the massage and she refused.
Cohn denied any wrongdoing and said that he was a merely a victim.
The city’s Finance Director, Viki Copeland, has acted as treasurer in his stead since mid-March.
“It is more important than ever that we have a Treasurer who has the experience to safely manage our taxpayer dollars. With my education and background, I offer a fresh new beginning to the office of City Treasurer – one based on integrity, professionalism, education and relevant financial experience,” Nowicki wrote on her statement of intent to run for City Treasurer.
“The coming years will be challenging for the City,” Reviczky wrote. “As your Treasurer I will exercise caution with your funds and ensure complete transparency.”
A ballot measure qualified by outspoken night-life opponent Jim Lissner proposing an ordinance to reduce the post-midnight operating hours of businesses in the downtown area of Hermosa Beach will also be a on the ballot.
