My Story

I’m David Kartsonis. I grew up in the South Bay and when it came time for my wife and me to buy our first home - where we would start our family - we fell in love with North Torrance. Now that we have two children, we know that we made the right decision!  We love our neighbors and our neighborhood, but the more I got involved in the City of Torrance, the more I wanted to ensure our neighborhood received the support and attention it deserves.

My parents started the family business where my sister and I now work in Torrance nearly 30 years ago. Being a Torrance Small Business Owner has given me insight into why businesses choose to headquarter in Torrance.

I was raised being told to give back to the community in whatever way I can and that sparked a lifetime of service. After graduating from El Camino College, I transferred to UC Santa Barbara and earned by Bachelor's there. I returned to the South Bay and wanted to support my school, so I joined the El Camino College Foundation and served as a Board Member for 10 years, including my time as President of the Board.  While there I had the privilege of watching many students be able to fulfill their dream of college education because of our efforts.  This showed me how a small group of dedicated individuals can make a big difference.  During my Presidency, we helped introduce laptops into the classroom, partnered with the district to start The South Bay Promise, funded and supported the Warrior Food Pantry and Veterans Warrior Pantry, and implemented best practices that grew the Foundation by 100%.

From there, I represented the taxpayers while serving on the El Camino Community College District Bond Oversight Committee where we ensured hundreds of millions of dollars in bond funds were spent appropriately and responsibly.

I grew up going to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, so when I felt I had made my impact at El Camino College, I joined the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA).  Torrance is a vibrant community and the cultural arts are a key reason for that.

This eventually led to me dancing in Dancing with the South Bay Stars where we raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits.

In 2024/2025 I served as President of the Foundation while we celebrated our 30th year serving Torrance and the South Bay.

My start in the City of Torrance government came when I was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

While serving there I:
• Ensured our parks remained as open and accessable as possible during COVID
• Met with representatives working to install the Torrance Honor Roll Wall - Japanese Internment wall in Columbia Park
• Made the motion to ensure the installation of the SCAQMD air monitoring sensor in North Torrance to contribute data to torranceair.org
• Oversaw senior and disabled resident “HIP” home improvement program
• Worked to increase Pickleball access in the city
• Oversaw the distribution of $20,000 in grants annually to social services agencies
• Worked to increase access and use of recycled water to irrigate Torrance Parks
• Worked to ensure access to Torrance Parks for Torrance Little Leagues.
• Represented the City at multiple concerts, awards events, festivals, and sports events
• Oversaw updates to the Dee Hardison Sports Center Restrooms
• Oversaw installation of Adult Fitness Equipment at Wilson Park
• Oversaw repairs to the Splash Pad at Wilson Park and fought to ensure the city was not responsible for payment.
• Oversaw Park Ranger Program
• Oversaw Toyota Sports Center

After serving the City faithfully on the Parks and Recreation Commission I was asked to serve on the Planning Commission which oversees land use, development, and use permits for restaurants and businesses in the city.  I was recently reappointed to my third term as Chairman of the Planning Commission.

While serving as Planning Commissioner I have:

• Ensured that restaurants in our community could continue operation outdoors
• Approved RESPONSIBLE development in the city, including developments to use abandoned/“blighted” land in North Torrance
• Worked with staff to approve conditional use permits for businesses that don’t fit the standard mold (example: sensor alignment company for self driving cars…)
• Stood up to state overreach and worked with staff to protect our low density single family neighborhoods - updating our ADU and JADU municipal codes as well as the city’s Ordinance and Urgency Ordinance to address SB 9, SB 10, AB 345, and SB 478.
• Worked with staff to reevaluate the off-street parking regulations that are potentially making Torrance unattractive for certain types of businesses.
• Helped create the “Food Halls” category of business in Torrance.

I also serve my community as:

• Torrance/South Bay YMCA Board Member
• AYSO North Torrance Soccer Coach
• Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Program Chair
• Small Business Owner

Through my decades of public service to the City of Torrance, currently as a Planning Commissioner, I have a track record of responsible and ethical leadership and a vested interest in the Torrance community.

My family and I love Torrance and want to see it thrive! I have the ability and willingness to work hard for EVERY resident and get things done!