Petrikin to Seek 3rd Council Term

James D. Petrikin will seek reelection to the City Council for a third four-year term in November. Mayor George B. Scott said he has decided to bow out of public service after 21 years on the council.

Since the filing period opened Monday, seven residents, including Petrikin, have taken out nomination papers, city officials said. The deadline to return them is Aug. 9.

A 20-year resident of Fountain Valley, Petrikin was elected to the council in November 1988. The city does not have term limits.

Petrikin, 56, a chiropractor, said he is planning a semi-retirement next year, which will give him more time to serve the city. He said he also wants to keep working with the current council, whose other members are not up for reelection this year.

“This council has achieved a lot in eight years. There’s been a lot of teamwork, homework done and a lot of egos forgotten about--and people who are willing to make compromises,” Petrikin said. “It’s been one of the most cohesive councils in our city’s history.”

Petrikin said priorities are building the city’s sales tax base by developing commercial and industrial areas and easing traffic congestion on Euclid Street.