Council candidate Mariann Ettorre sees multiple issues affecting H.B.

Mariann “Mare” Ettorre believes in fiscal responsibility and a stronger voice for the people.

The 60-year-old certified public accountant, who has lived in Huntington Beach for about 27 years, is running for the first time for one of three seats on the seven-member City Council.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Ettorre said regarding her decision to run. “It got to the point where I got really tired of what I see in local government, like not being fiscally responsible, the community not being listened to and issues not being addressed.”

She believes through the city’s current development plan, it is “leaving money on the table.” However, she said, she does not support more development.

Ettorre said Huntington Beach should be able to come into compliance with meeting its state-mandated amount of affordable housing and therefore avoid lawsuits.

One solution toward that goal, she said, is working with local landlords to see what can be done.

“I understand the issues with traffic, congestion and building out a particular area of Huntington Beach — and the problems that causes,” Ettorre said. “I think that there are other creative ways that we can look at resolving this issue, like going after the federal funds and state funds that could be ours to use on programs. [We could also] put forward for other needs if we come into compliance with the state, without developing more.”

She said homelessness and the proposed Poseidon desalination plant are also “top-button issues”; she plans to study them further to help the council solve them.

“I’m not sure [the residents are] getting all the answers we need, because I’m not so sure we’re asking all the right questions,” she said.

Ettorre, who has one daughter and has served on the Orange County board for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said drunk driving also needs to be addressed more. She plans on working with MADD Orange County to help remedy the problem.

Regarding the old Michael E. Rodgers Senior Center, Ettorre said she supports the land being returned for public park space, but added it doesn’t have to be an “either-or” situation.

She said the facility, which could potentially be used as a meeting space or for small events like birthday parties, could coexist with a park.

Residents, she noted, have advocated for park space but the “City Council has not seemed to be paying attention.”

She said that will change if she’s elected.

“I realize there are a couple council members who are very fiscally responsible, like I am,” Ettorre said. “I believe that another vote on the council — with respect to spending and where we’re spending our money and listening to the community — would go a long way toward getting some of these initiatives passed.”

brittany.woolsey@latimes.com

Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey