Hermosa Beach Welcomes New Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem

HERMOSA BEACH, CA – The Hermosa Beach City Council welcomed a new mayor, Councilmember Stacey Armato, and a new mayor pro tem, Councilmember Mary Campbell, at a special City Council meeting last week.

The council and others also commended the outgoing mayor, Councilmember Jeff Duclos, for his service over the past year, the City of Hermosa Beach press release said.

“We thank Jeff for his leadership, his commitment and his passion for this City,” said Mayor Armato. “I have enjoyed working closely with him this past year and have appreciated his insights, his upbeat outlook and his knowledge of the community as a longtime resident. I look forward to working with him, the rest of the Council, City staff and the community to continue the path forward to make Hermosa Beach the best it can be.”

Mayor Armato said she would be working with the City Council, city staff and the community to make progress with several major improvement projects for the fire department, city yard, community center, the Clark Building, Hermosa Avenue, 8th Street, other streets and sewers, park restrooms and more.

“We have laid the groundwork for improving our City and ensuring these projects are successful with the hiring of our new City Manager and adoption our first general plan since 1979, PLAN Hermosa,” Mayor Armato said. “PLAN Hermosa is a long-term strategic plan that reflects our vision as a community that values our small beach town character, vibrant economy and healthy environment and lifestyles. Working together, we can achieve its goals to grow the economy while preserving our small town character and protecting our natural resources.”

Armato said she also wanted to work to increase transparency and public information about city projects by providing easily accessible, timely and up-to-date information for each project on the city’s website. Currently, the mayor and major pro tem each serve one year, and the mayor pro tem moves up to the mayor’s job at the end of a year, the press release said. Armato just completed a year as mayor pro tem; upon taking her place, Mayor Pro Tem Campbell pledged to work with the new mayor and offered her praise for Councilmember Duclos.

“Jeff has done a great job of representing our city over this past year; keeping us on track with multiple priorities and making sure that the community’s views are heard,” Mayor Pro Tem Campbell said. “I look forward to working alongside Stacey to continue our efforts to engage the community and work together across all parties to lead the City as it moves forward.”

Councilmember Duclos, who completed his second term as mayor last week, said he greatly appreciated the support of the Council, the City Staff and the community over the past year, the press release said.

“It has been my great honor to serve as Mayor yet again in this remarkable, tight-knit city that has been my home for the past 40 years,” he said. “The experience reaffirms what a rare opportunity taking on the responsibilities of Mayor presents to each of us to grow in understanding and fulfillment of our role as council members and in working with the city manager and staff in service to this great community. Beyond conducting meetings and serving as a representative for our city, being mayor is also been an opportunity to draw upon my background and skills as a professional communicator in elevating the importance of this aspect of city operations.”

Photo courtesy of Leeanne Singleton