Bates to Again Head League of Cities
City Councilman Ronald Bates will accept a rare second term as president of the League of California Cities--giving him a chance to be the longest-serving official in the position since the league’s creation 99 years ago.
League terms typically are one year beginning in October, but Bates was elected in January when the president, a councilman from Eureka, lost a reelection bid in that city and resigned.
Earlier this month, Bates was elected to his first full term.
He is the first league president from Orange County since 1977-78, when then-Fullerton Mayor Duane Winters was at the helm, said Julie Marengo, spokeswoman for the Sacramento-based league.
The league’s chief role is advocacy for 471 municipalities.
Bates’ appointment means a high-profile spot in the organization for one of Orange County’s smallest cities.
“We’re represented really well, our little city, with Ron,” City Councilwoman Marilynn M. Poe said.
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