Mayor to Seek 2nd Council Term

Mayor Jim Friedman announced Wednesday he is seeking a second council term.

Friedman is the second incumbent to announce a bid for the Nov. 2 council race. Councilman Ray Di Guilio has said he plans to seek reelection, while Councilman Jack Tingstrom, whose term also expires this fall, remains undecided.

“I’ve really worked hard for the past 3 1/2 years,” Friedman said. “I’m prepared to work just as hard over the next four years to provide the proven leadership necessary to make our beautiful city even better.”

Friedman, 43, a small-business financial and insurance advisor, said the climate of the council has changed since his 1995 election. He equated past council meetings to the often-violent “Jerry Springer” television talk show.

“Unlike the show, our ratings have gone up because people like to see a council that gets along and gets stuff done,” Friedman said.

Friedman also gives himself credit for livening up meetings with the monthly “Mayor for a Moment” youth program and live entertainment at council meetings, including a recent appearance of the swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Flying Lindy Hoppers dance troupe.

The mayor said his platform will focus on improving aspects of the city that have received poor ratings in resident surveys, including street and infrastructure repairs.

Friedman said his voting record is evidence of his capabilities--a citywide beautification program; the expansion of the E.P. Foster Library; the renovation of the Casa De Anza building on Ventura Avenue; improvements to the Buenaventura Mall; and the transformation of the shuttered Peirano’s building into Jonathan’s Restaurant.

The official candidate filing period begins Monday. Other announced candidates include land planner Carl Morehouse; Doug Halter, a parks and recreation commissioner and Laurel Theatre co-owner; restaurant owner Charles Gartman; antique-shop owner Diane Underhill; former Pacific Bell employee Scott Coe; and pediatrician Dr. Bob Ryan.