Time for a Change

I have known Margaret Estrada for over ten years since we worked together on Lomita's redevelopment effort. She is a very hard worker who seemed to have the city's best interest at heart. I was amazed how many things she was involved in. She then pushed me to apply to be on the Community Development Advisory Board. Soon after, she suggested I apply to be a planning commissioner, where I served almost six years. In 2005, she pushed hard for me to run for council along with her and incumbent Susie Dever. We would join Mark Waronek and Don Suminaga whose terms were continuing. Over and over, she told me, "This will be the best council the city's ever had."

Soon after our election, I found out she was not quite so nice as I thought. She cared little for the opinions of others. She was at times extremely rude to the public in meetings. She had her mind made up on every item before the council meeting even started. She was overly involved in the day to day operations of the city. She focused on the details with no care for the bigger picture. Still, I tried to make the best of things and get along, generally with success I thought.

I was wrong. By trying to work with her, I was allowing her to run roughshod over city staff and effectively make the city her personal kingdom. Dissent by council members or staff was severely punished by her verbal attacks. Entire organizations were blacklisted because she did not like someone in them. She ran a horrible smear campaign on Mayor Mark Waronek because he would not bow to her wishes.

Over time, I have come to know that Margaret's actions go beyond mere bad management to more serious issues. Harassment, discrimination, conflicts of interest, cronyism and a pattern of skirting the state's open meeting law are the hallmarks of her term of office. Click here to see a more detailed listing of her misdeeds.

Margaret Estrada has been on the city council for 12 of the last 14 years and is seeking reelection. Over those years, she has created a climate of fear and distrust at city hall. Her practices are mostly unknown outside of city hall insiders. It is time for that to change. This site provides information every Lomita voter should know before going to the polls.

If you have information to add, please let me know. It is time for a change.

Barry Waite
Lomita City Councilman