(January 13, 2006) -- Justin Rudd, the Haute Dogs animal advocate and internet promotion whiz who led a successful campaign to create a Dog Zone on part of Belmont Shore's beachfront, is officially collecting signatures to meet today's deadline putting him on the ballot for the 3d district City Council seat in the April 2006 election.
"Like any other proud Long Beach resident, I want the best for our city. That's why I've dedicated my life to keeping the community as vibrant and beautiful as the day I moved to Belmont Shore 10 years ago," Mr. Rudd said in a mass emailing that cites his work to create the dog zone, organizing monthly beach cleanups, bringing special cigarette-butt receptables to 2d St. and founding and managing the non-profit "Communinity Action Team (CAT) and organizing its annual 5K/10K Turkey Trot and Grunion Run, the children's Spelling Bee Championship, the July 4 Kids' Bike Parade, and the Easter and Halloween dog parades.
On January 2, Mr. Rudd told LBReport.com he was leaning toward running and had met with a potential campaign consultants...and the email reflects it. "Third District residents deserve a Councilmember who will carefully guard their tax dollars against irresponsible spending, who will ensure that public safety is the Council's top priority, and who will work everyday not just to preserve but also to improve our treasured community. For me, public service is a full-time job and the task of preserving our quality of life calls for nothing less," the email says, along with announcing a January 19 Belmont Shore fundraiser and seeking campaign contributions to the legal maximum with contributor information for required disclosure filing.
Among those already in the race to succeed two-term Councilman (now Mayoral candidate) Frank Colonna is utility tax-cut leader (2000, Prop J) Norm Ryan, businessman Gary DeLong, real estate agent Charles Legeman and candidate Audrey Stephanie Loftin.
Part of the impetus for Mr. Rudd's run was the Council's November/December conduct (without prior public hearings or meeting with animal advocates) in moving to reverse long-standing LB policy that currently bans dog breeding and instead permit dog breeding on limited terms with payment of a license fee.
Supporters of the policy reversal said it could help persuade national dog sport groups (which dislike bans on dog breeding) to hold their conventions in Long Beach, producing economic benefits for the city...but a number of LB animal advocates said LB's dog breeding ban should be mended, not ended...and bristled at reversing LB policy to suit those outside LB when City Hall kills unwanted dogs daily at LB's Animal Shelter.
