Seal Beach Mayor Opts Not to Resign Because of Threat
Citing overwhelming support by her constituents, Mayor Gwen Forsythe on Monday night rescinded her decision to leave the City Council.
On March 12, Forsythe announced her intent to resign, one day after she learned that a rifle cartridge with a threatening message had been sent to her in the mail.
On Monday night, Forsythe said she had made that decision partly because of the threat and partly because of the Police Department’s handling of the case. The police had known about the threat for six days before Forsythe was informed of it by a colleague.
The threat, police say, might be linked to a city development project.
On Monday, a packed City Hall gave her a standing ovation when she announced her decision to stay.
“The city needs to put into perspective that the threat was to the entire city,” she said. “I want my life back, but I have a responsibility. . . . All those who called reminded me of that.”
She called the threat an act of cowardice and she did not want it to dictate her actions.
Police have called in the FBI and state Justice Department to help in the investigation.
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