campaign email #27
Why I Support Vivian Malauulu for City Council
From Renee Lawler
Why I Support Vivian Malauulu for City Council
From Renee Lawler
My name is Renee Lawler. I’ve lived in Wrigley for more than 40 years and I have carried a deep love and respect for horses and the equestrian lifestyle my entire life. Like many of you, I chose to live here because of our unique equestrian community, the open space near the LA River, and the Ranchito heritage that makes West Long Beach unlike anywhere else.
A Heritage Under Threat
Our neighborhood includes historic horse properties and trails that represent a living history—one that predates most of the development around us today. These spaces were promised to our community, yet for decades they have remained under constant threat.
I was recently quoted in the Signal Tribune article, “Broken Promises, Sunken Expectations, and a Bleak Future,” which captures the frustration so many of us feel: preservation promises made to West Long Beach have too often been ignored or undermined. I’ve been deeply involved in organizing against inappropriate development here, and I’m proud of how our neighbors have stood firm to protect the equestrian space behind our homes.
Vivian: A Neighbor Who Shows Up
One person who has consistently stood with us is my neighbor, Vivian Malauulu. Her front door is less than 100 yards from our equestrian trails. She doesn't just talk about our issues; she lives them.
I have worked in collaboration with Vivian for many years to preserve our heritage and protect the green space we were promised. Long before she ever ran for office, Vivian was doing the work. In 2016, as a Trustee at Long Beach City College, she led an initiative where students partnered with our community to document and uplift the historic importance of our equestrian culture. That documentary helped shine a light on a part of Long Beach history that is too often overlooked.
A Champion for Small Business
On a personal note, as a woman and a small business owner, Vivian has been a champion for me in a way that truly impacted my life. She encouraged me to enroll in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at LBCC, which played a meaningful role in helping my company, Belmont Plumbing, grow and succeed. That support mattered, and it is a major reason why I trust her leadership.
Honoring Our Identity
I am proud to endorse Vivian Malauulu for City Council because she understands this community personally. She lives here, she has put in the work, and I am confident she will continue to fight for the health, history, and well-being of West Long Beach.
Preserving our natural habitats and equestrian heritage isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about honoring commitments and ensuring that development doesn’t erase our community identity.
I am hosting a one hour meet-and-greet at the picnic benches along the Wrigley Greenbelt equestrian trails, where you can meet Vivian in person and we can discuss the issues that matter most to our community.
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Location: West end of 31st Street where it dead ends against the LA River in Wrigley
I hope you can to join us. There is ample street parking available, and light refreshments will be provided.
Sincerely,
Renee Lawler
40-year Wrigley Resident & Owner of Belmont Plumbing
P.S. This is the link to the recent Signal Tribune article:
This is the link to the documentary LBCC geography and film students made in 2016: