Ousted Hermosa Beach Mayor Bemoans ‘Shift’ Among Voters

Declaring that “this is the one time that I can speak what I feel,” the ousted mayor of Hermosa Beach lambasted the voters in her farewell speech Tuesday night.

June Williams, who was rejected along with incumbent Councilwoman Etta Simpson earlier this month, told the audience at the City Council meeting that the election amounted to a rejection of their efforts to make the city less crowded and to crack down on bar owners who serve liquor to minors.

“I am saddened by the shift in values of our citizens,” she said, adding that “apparently, qualifications are not important” to voters, since “even our local cable TV comedian . . . came close to getting on the council.”

The remark was a reference to Robert (Burgie) Benz, a mechanical engineer and council candidate who hosts a satirical local cable television show. Benz finished fourth, ahead of Simpson and Williams.

Benz said on Wednesday he had heard about Williams’ “sour-grapes speech.”

“It’s a swan song from a lady who’s bitter about losing,” he said. Then taking note of how hard Williams had worked while on the council, he added: “She really means well, and my hat’s off to her. I’m sorry I didn’t get in there, but there’s three quality people in there now.”

The mayor’s post, a position rotated among the council members, will now be filled by Roger Creighton, who, as he rapped the gavel, bluntly declared: “There’s supposed to be words now from the incoming mayor. We’ll skip those.”