At 2:30 p.m., a fundraiser/consultant for Foster's now-abandoned 2014 run for State Treasurer committee (who selectively emailed poll results to others a few days earlier showing the incumbent Mayor at roughly 40% support level, details here) emailed the following statement:
MAYOR BOB FOSTER STATEMENT REGARDING THIRD MAYORAL TERM
July 16, 2013
Long Beach has made tremendous progress over the last seven years -- the results are visible everywhere,
from the lowest crime rates in a generation, to vibrant private sector activity and renewed focus on
improving the quality of our air, coastal waters and recreational activities. Perhaps the best testament to that
progress can be seen in how well our City has weathered the largest financial crisis in nearly a century and
come through those extraordinary times stronger.
Absent the fiscal discipline of the past seven years, we would have a large budget gap that would consume us.
Instead, Long Beach will have a genuine budget surplus beginning in October to move forward with the
important work of providing services and enhancing our physical infrastructure.
I love this City. I am honored to be your Mayor. I have performed to the best of my abilities during a
very difficult time.
Most of you know I cannot resist using Roman quotes or analogies; so very much like Cincinnatus in ancient
Rome, I believe I was called to public service to lend my talents at a critical juncture. Also, like
Cincinnatus, when the crisis has passed and there is a return to more "normal" times, one should, like him,
return to private and family pursuits. Thus, it is not without some regret that I announce that I will not seek a
third term as your Mayor.
While I love the office I hold and feel no small sense of obligation to continue, I also need time to pursue
private opportunities. I would like to have real time to write, study and most importantly, spend time with
my family. Many people have urged me to continue and encouraged me that I can do all these things in a
final term. I thank each of you for that continued trust and counsel. But in truth, the job of Mayor as I know
it requires and deserves full attention and focus. You cannot do the job well if you are distracted by either
private pursuits or a vision of the next political office you want to hold. It is my obligation to the people of
this great City to make that honest assessment.
None of this is meant to say my work here is done; I have one year nearly to the day in my term and I plan to
be vigorous in serving the remainder of my tenure giving you full measure until my last hour in office.
To everyone in this City, thank you for the continued opportunity to serve you and for your help and
understanding when it was needed over these years. A special thank you to my wife and your First Lady,
Nancy, for all her help in making our City a better place. Thank you as well to the City staff and my staff in
the Mayor’s Office for their energy and devotion.
God bless you and God bless our great City of Long Beach.
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