Seal Beach raised Lyn Semeta is the new Mayor of Huntington Beach. Lyn, a Long Beach native, graduated from McGaugh Elementary, Huntington Beach High and UCLA before earning her law degree at the University of San Diego School of Law.
Lyn’s parents, Mario and JoAnn Rossi, still live on the Hill in Seal Beach, as they have for over 50 years.
“I loved growing up in the coastal community of Seal Beach. It’s such a friendly, walk-able, caring and unique town,” said the award-winning artist, who just became Mayor of Huntington Beach, like her friend and former Seal Beach and HB Mayor, Norma Brandel Gibbs. “I feel very fortunate to become Mayor of HB, just like Norma, who inspired me and also lived in Huntington Harbour.”
“I’m excited to launch the HB Mayor’s Commitment to Community Award. We are blessed with so many examples of generous, committed donors and volunteers doing good works to improve lives. The award is designed to recognize the efforts of unsung heroes in our community. Those who make and inspire others to make positive changes and impact lives through positive action.”
“One of my major goals is to improve our economic development opportunities to bring more business and income to the City. The Huntington Beach Gateway project, a 600,000 sq. ft., flexible industrial zoning campus near the Boeing facility, will be breaking ground soon. Taking advantage of this new space will help greatly in my mission to let the business community know our city is a great place to open or expand your business.”
“I’m excited about the new electronic land management and permitting system, which will allow the public to track their applications. We’ll continue to work on challenges like homeless issues. I’m confident we’ll meet those challenges as a community with creative solutions with regional cooperation from neighboring cities, the county and state.”
Lyn’s three-decade commitment to community service has included leading and serving on numerous non-profit boards. She has provided pro bono services to homeless veterans and battered women, including as one of the initial volunteer attorneys at the Superior Court Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic. She was co-founding Chair of the Women’s Resource Fair for Homeless and Battered Women which has been operating for over 25 years. She is the mother of two daughters with special needs and has mentored other parents of special needs kids for more than 20 years.
Dave Sullivan, former Huntington Beach mayor, appointed Lyn to the Planning Commission, which gave her a start in politics. “I am pleased I got her into it. She’s committed to making communities better,” Sullivan said.
Mike Van Voorhis, former Sunset Beach Community Association president/Huntington Harbor Commissioner said: “Lyn Semeta has been a good friend to Sunset Beach. She attends our Community Events and was a big advocate in making our Harbor Commission a reality.”
“Lyn is a classy, caring lady and believes in helping everyone, including Woman’s Rights,” said Rene Lesley, a former local PTO president.
