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Former 49er, Andrews, Earns Council Seat
Long Beach Press-Telegram Editorial
May 14, 2007
We hope that 6th District favorite son Dee Andrews' upcoming City Council
tenure proves as compelling as his life story. Many folks can recall an
unstoppable Jackrabbit at Poly High in the 1960s and a record-setting
49er at Long Beach State.
Others know him better as a community activist, who fights to keep kids
away from drugs and gangs.
Andrews proved unstoppable again last week, upsetting Al Austin, the mayor's
pick, in Long Beach's special election for a vacant council seat. He also
dusted our endorsee, businessman Ahmed Saafir, and other well-qualified
and well-meaning candidates. Nearly everyone - put us at the top of the
list - underestimated Andrews.
What makes Andrews a potentially exciting public servant is not so much
his achievements on the gridiron. It's how he overcame a high-profile
personal fumble - a drug problem and conviction - and recovered the ball.
Andrews went on to win back his education career - not an easy thing to
do - and now works as a school district court liaison. He is active in
neighborhood causes, particularly trying to lead children away from inner-city
ills: drugs, gangs, ignorance.
We spoke with Andrews Monday about his agenda, which is essentially three-pronged:
Jobs, jobs and jobs.
Speaking with enthusiasm, he said he wants to attract employers to the
area so that the people in the central part of the city can begin to establish
work histories that will lead to better opportunities.
He also dismissed the assertion that he's anti-union because he would
not resist a Wal-Mart grocery store in his district, adding that most
mom-and-pop shops only hire a couple of people at a time.
"I am not anti-anything, but anti-poverty," he said.
Andrews also stressed his goal of getting everyone to report crime when
they see it. He said those who are afraid to report a drug dealer next
door should take the chance because they may save an innocent life.
Andrews is a refreshing role model for those who have made mistakes, and
also a reminder to the public that not everyone should be written off
because of their personal struggles. He has turned error into example.
But the past, even one that has been overcome, is still the past. Andrews
must prove himself all over again on the City Council.
We hope Andrews proves as unstoppable in office as he was in sports and
life. The challenges he faces - poverty, gangs, drugs and graffiti - are
tougher to break through than the old Wilson High defensive line.
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