ORANGE : Ailing Mayor Says He’ll Seek Reelection

Despite growing community concern over his health, Mayor Gene Beyer said he is fine and not only intends to remain in office but also will seek reelection in November. “I still planning on running, and I’m fine,” said Beyer last week. “I’ve got bad knees and (a bad) shoulder, but my heart is fine.”

Beyer’s comments follow an editorial in a local newspaper that urged him not to seek reelection and another statement by the head of a local taxpayers group who implied at last week’s council meeting that the mayor might not be able to complete his term.

Bob Bennyhoff, the managing editor of Orange’s Common Talk, called on Beyer in a recent editorial to drop his plans to run again for mayor.

“We believe the time has come for Beyer to devote his remaining energy to the battle against the medical problems which continue to beset him,” wrote Bennyhoff, a longtime supporter of the mayor. “We believe the time has come for Beyer to seriously consider making his present term his last as mayor.”

As a result of three recent falls--two of which occurred leaving the council chambers--Beyer, 66, missed four of five council meetings in February and half a dozen in January and December. During council meetings, the mayor often receives help from colleagues when standing up or sitting down.

Beyer, who underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery after his heart stopped two years ago, had new defibrillators installed last month. A defibrillator is a battery-powered electronic device that senses life-threatening heart rhythms and shocks the heart into resuming a normal beat.

Carole Walters, head of the Orange Taxpayers Assn., read a position statement before the council saying the group would like to have a special election to fill a vacancy rather than someone being appointed to the council. Walters said the statement was read because the group fears Beyer may not finish his term.

But the mayor, recognizing the statement was aimed at him, said he isn’t stepping down. “I have no intention of resigning,” Beyer said after Walters read the statement.