LONG BEACH - Prominent local attorney and Long Beach City College Trustee Doug Otto announced Wednesday that he has formed an exploratory committee to run for mayor next year.
Otto has a long history of public service and is a founding board member of the Aquarium of the Pacific.
He has also chaired or served on numerous city groups, including the Planning Commission, the City Manager's Downtown Business and Development Advisory Committee, and Long Beach Strategic Plan, 2010.
"Long ago, I made a personal commitment - to do everything I could to make this city a livable, thriving community for the families and businesses that call Long Beach home," Otto said in a statement.
"I know this city and love this city. I believe I can make a difference."
A cancer survivor, Otto was inducted into the LBCC Hall of Fame in 2009.
Two candidates have officially filed paperwork announcing their intent to run in next year's mayoral race: Damon Dunn, a real estate investor and former NFL player; and Jana Shields, the operator of a nonprofit community education program and two-time 1st District council candidate.
Mayor Bob Foster has said he is considering running as a write-in for a third term but has not announced a decision.
Several current and former council members are also weighing bids.
All seem to be waiting to see what Foster does, and Otto acknowledged the looming issue in his announcement.
"I respect Bob and the work he has done in the city," Otto said.
"His success in stabilizing the city's budget in difficult times and initiating major pension reform has been enormously important for Long Beach. I want to build on the foundation that Mayor Foster has created."
The City Council approved a pension reform deal last month with its largest employee union.
Council members previously agreed to retirement concessions from the police and fire associations as well.
The deals combined reduced benefits for future employees with increased pension contributions for current employees and are expected to save Long Beach hundreds of millions of dollars in the next decade.
eric.bradley@presstelegram.com, 562-714-2104, twitter.com/EricBradleyPT
Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_22585931/long-beach-attorney-doug-otto-may-run-mayor?source=rss
cam newton danielle fishel FedEx Gabriel Aubry halle berry cyber monday deals small business saturday
No comments:
Post a Comment