Council members Val Lerch and Tonia Reyes Uranga are both positioning themselves to replace Bonnie Lowenthal as vice mayor.
When four council members are sworn in for another four years July 15, the council will vote on who will take over for Lowenthal. Lerch says he has enough votes on the council to be chosen as vice mayor, but Uranga also wants to serve.
The vice mayor title is largely symbolic, giving no more power than any other council member, except to run the council meetings when the mayor is absent.
The vice mayor is chosen by a majority vote of the council, and often the most senior member is given the position. If that's the case this time, then Uranga would win the position. She was sworn in a few minutes before Lerch in July 2002.
Check out a full story about the vice mayor position in my weekly City Hall roundup column, "333," in Thursday's Press-Telegram.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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