Layla Hernandez
Wendi Morse is running to represent District 1 on the Bellflower City Council.
Nov. 5 is the last day to vote, with early voting available. To check registration status, request a vote-by-mail ballot, or find a local voting center, visit lavote.gov.
Incumbent Wendi Morse was appointed to the council in October 2023 after the resignation of Councilmember Raymond Hamada.
Morse cites public safety as a “big part” of her vision for the future of the city.
She supports the “hiring of additional (LA County Sheriff) deputies,” Bellflower’s policing agency, to improve response times. She also “want(s) to provide real solutions for those experiencing homelessness, offering support and resources so they can rebuild their lives while making sure our neighborhoods remain welcoming and secure.”
Morse is undecided on caps on annual rent increases, stressing the need to balance the interests of both renters and property owners. She does support developer incentives to support increased production of affordable housing as well as expanding rental assistance programs to prevent families from being priced out of the city.
Morse has lived in Bellflower for 30 years, with 22 years in District 1.
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity. The candidate self-reported their occupation and residence.
Why are you running?
I am running because I care deeply about Bellflower. This city isn’t just where my husband and I live; it’s where we are raising our children. Bellflower is where we volunteer our time to help our community prosper.
As a parent, I understand the importance of a safe and supportive community for families. I want every family, especially those just starting out- to feel secure, supported, and proud to call Bellflower home. My goal is to make sure that every child, just like mine, grows up in a thriving environment where they can feel safe playing outside, where families can access quality services, and where neighbors truly feel like family.
What is your vision for the future of the city?
My Vision for Bellflower centers on creating a vibrant community where young families can grow and thrive. A big part of that vision is enhancing public safety. I want to provide real solutions for those experiencing homelessness, offering support and resources so they can rebuild their lives while making sure our neighborhoods remain welcoming and secure.
Lastly, I want to focus on fostering economic growth, which is essential for all of us, especially young families looking to build their futures. This means creating opportunities for new businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and ensuring that Bellflower is a city where dreams can take root and grow, providing the resources and jobs our community needs to flourish.
The average monthly rent for an apartment in Bellflower is $2,111, up 18% from January 2022, according to the apartment search website rentcafe.com. Multiple cities in Southeast Los Angeles County have placed caps on annual rent increases beyond the hard cap of 10%–5% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower–passed by the state in 2019. Bell Gardens set a cap of 50% of inflation or 4%, whichever is less; Maywood’s maximum rent increase is 4%; Cudahy’s cap is the change in inflation or 3%, whichever is less. Do you support a cap on annual rent increases in Bellflower beyond the state cap?
Undecided. Currently, I am undecided on implementing a cap beyond the State limit. It’s important to consider the needs of both renters and owners when making such decisions. As a community, we need to balance affordability for families with ensuring property owners can maintain and invest in quality housing. I am committed to exploring all options, engaging with residents, and finding a solution that helps create a stable, affordable rental market while fostering a thriving community.
What are other solutions to prevent renters from being priced out of the city due to rising rents?
One solution to help prevent renters from being priced out of Bellflower is to focus on building more affordable housing options. By working with developers and offering incentives, we can create a wider range of housing choices that are within reach for young families and new residents. This would increase supply of affordable rental units, helping to reduce pressure on prices.
Another approach is to expand rental assistance programs, providing support to families who may need temporary help to stay in their homes. This could include working with local organizations to secure funding and resources that assist families during tough economic times, helping them manage rising costs without having to move out of the community.
Policing makes up 30.3% of the city budget. Do you think this is the right amount of spending? What public safety strategies do you think the city could implement that don’t rely on traditional policing?
Public Safety is of extreme importance. Bellflower currently hires 24-hour additional public safety patrol units in addition to our Sheriff patrol units.
Should the police budget increase, decrease, or stay the same?
Increase. There are several reasons I believe in maintaining or increasing the Sheriff department’s budget. An Increased budget can support hiring of additional deputies, improving response times, and having adequate patrol coverage. Also, specialized training and additional resources are needed for Deputies to be able to address specific issues such as homelessness, drug addiction, mental health issues.
The city’s 1997 General Plan states: “The primary goal of Bellflower’s Circulation Element is to achieve and maintain a balanced, safe, problem-free transportation system which: […] reduces dependence on single occupant automobile travel by providing a high level of pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit travel opportunities,” though current Census Reporter data shows that 5% of the city relies on non-vehicular transportation. Do you have specific goals to increase the number of residents using alternative transportation? If so, what are they, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Yes, I have ideas to increase the use of alternative transportation in Bellflower. I would like to focus on making it easier to get around without always relying on a car. Dedicated bike lanes will make cycling a safer option for families.
Additionally, researching traffic calming measures throughout our neighborhoods such as roundabouts or bulb outs, and improving crosswalks will help make our streets feel safe and parents are more likely to walk their kids to school or use local parks and businesses, which also helps to create a more vibrant community.
By investing in these types of improvements we can reduce congestion, promote healthier lifestyles and create a city where alternative transportation options are both safe and accessible for everyone.
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