CARSON—City Councilman Fil-Am Elito Santarina knows he has his hands full.
The second term councilman is the sole opponent to incumbent Jim Dear to be the Mayor of the City of Carson.
“We know,” said Santarina to the Asian Journal about being the underdog of the City of Carson Mayor race. “But the campaign is going well. I’m so proud of the people supporting me in this race and also, the volunteers for all of their hard work. People have been calling, telling us they have already voted. We’re so excited.”
Indeed, by the time this edition goes out (Wednesday, March 4) there may be a new City of Carson Mayor.
Many local political pundits don’t think that Santarina can upset the favored Dear. Despite Dear spending most of his first full term as Mayor facing a bitter recall fight, Dear has many political and business allies supporting his race.
In this campaign, Dear has managed to raise more than $45,000 in political contributions, almost three times the amount Santarina has raised. Santarina has only raised about $13,000, mostly from community and small businesses, according to the Daily Breeze.
However, Santarina is upbeat despite the large gap in political contributions.
Santarina, a former teacher, said that he believes his leadership style is better suited to run Carson.
“My style of leadership is that I am committed to create relationships with colleagues and businesses. I envision changing the existing leadership style of ‘I and me’ to ‘Us and We.’ It’s the community team that must prevail and I’m a consensus builder… My heart really is only in the best interest of the people.”
Humble beginnings
Santarina was born and raised in the Philippines.
He received a Bachelors and Post Baccalaureate degrees in Education. He began teaching in 1967 and became a school principal from 1969 to 1973, before migrating to the United States in the mid-70s.
He continued his education in the US, receiving a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education from the California State University Dominguez Hills.
He worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching middle and high school English, Bilingual Math and multicultural studies, and coordinating ESL program in adult education.
It was also during the 1980’s when Santarina began to give back to the community.
Over the last 10 years, he has served on the City of Carson’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Citywide Advisory commissions, served as co-chair of the City of Carson’s 30th anniversary celebrations, and assisted in the City’s summer youth jobs selection process. He has either held leadership positions or has been actively involved in many local organizations such as the Carson-Gardena YMCA, Carson Sister Cities Association, Kiwanis International and Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club.
He was elected into the Carson City Council in 2003 to serve a four-year term. He was then re-elected to serve on the city council in 2007.
Santarina said that his qualifications speak for themselves.
“In other words, I believe I am a person of integrity,” said Santarina about his qualifications of being a Mayor. “I have proven myself to many people. I practice integrity and believe I have the right plan and economic strategy to help our business community.”
Santarina said that despite being the underdog, he’s proud to represent the city of Carson and all the Filipino-American residents.
“I want to say this that no matter what happens it is the will of god that will prevail,” said Santarina. “If and when he gives me the opportunity to serve the people, I want the people to know I am only an instrument, a tool of what is a good public servant and because I am a Filipino-American and there are so many here in Carson, I want my other Filipino-Americans to keep supporting the ideals of a good leader.”
“Bottom line, I love working with people and to be in a city in what I consider the most diversity city in the USA is great.” (www.asianjournal.com)
(Published in LA Midweek March 4, 2009, p.A1)
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