2:48pm | Stating that she has met most of the goals she had when she took office eight years ago and that it is now time for a change in leadership, 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich has announced that she will not seek a third term as a write-in candidate, and that she gives her full backing to Al Austin.
“I’m asking all the voters of the 8th District to join me in supporting Al Austin to be our next councilmember,” Gabelich said Tuesday morning at a press conference held within the sartorial confines of the Long Beach Clothing Co., which Gabelich labeled “one of the many success stories here in the revitalization of Bixby Knolls and the 8th District commercial corridor.”
Gabelich said it was only this past weekend that she came to her final decision not pursue a third term, relating that she has received much encouragement to enter the race as a write-in candidate.
“It is humbling and rewarding to know that I have served successfully,” she said with a catch in her voice. “However, after much contemplation, I believe it is time for me to turn over the reins.”
Gabelich said that although she considers two of the candidates friends, “I believe that one candidate has the background, the record of service in the community, and a focus on the right priorities to continue that progress we have made [over the last eight years]. And that candidate is Al Austin.”
Gabelich’s praise of Austin centered on his extensive work with children (e.g., his service on the YMCA’s board for the last eight years). “The focus on our youth is probably the most important task for the next leader in the 8th District,” she said. “[… Austin] gets the importance of providing avenues to engage our youth so they have good, positive choices in their lives so they have the opportunity to become strong, capable citizens.”
She also pointed to Austin as the candidate who would best serve the 8th District in terms of law-enforcement issues, noting that Austin has the endorsement of the police union, and that he would continue to push for a funding a police academy — a drum Gabelich has been banging for four years.
Austin said that “the 8th District is better off than it was eight years ago” and pledged continuity if elected.
“I will work to continue Rae’s work as the next councilmember,” he said. “I would like to pick up where she leaves off, but also focus on new opportunities and improvements for our district. Continuity, vision, and commitment are key […] When elected, I plan to hit the ground running. […] This is a pivotal moment for the 8th District and our community.”
After his public remarks, Austin spoke about the unique position he is in to draw upon the knowledge of those who have preceded him in the 8th District seat .
“Rae has lots of institutional knowledge we can’t lose,” he said. “And I’ve also got the support of Rob Webb [who preceded Gabelich]. That’s 12 years of council experience I’ve got behind me.”
Both Gabelich and Austin spoke about the need to make policing the community an even higher priority than it is. Austin stated that in the extensive canvassing of the district he has done over the last months, he has not come across a single block that hasn’t experienced some sort of car or auto break-in. Gabelich, meanwhile, pointed to the fact that there were three murders in the area last month.
“We have a problem,” she said. “No one wants to admit the problem.”
Austin said he supported the proposal floated by Councilmembers Gabelich, Schipske, and Neal last August to implement $6.2 million of the $18.4 million in the Uplands Oil Fund to restore 14 patrol officers, plus positions to the Gang Enforcement Field Team, the Violent Crimes Detail, and the Homeland Security Section, as well as providing Chief Jim McDonnell with about $3.2 million in discretionary monies. (That proposal that was voted down in short order by the majority of the council and decried as “irresponsible” by Mayor Foster.)
“We’re dealing with very unconventional budget issues,” Austin said, “and I don’t think you can use conventional means to deal with them.”
Gabelich told the Long Beach Post she has been too consumed with making the decision whether to run for a third term to give any serious consideration to her future plans. “I just need a break!” she said.
She added, however, that she “might consider the possibility of mayor in 2014.”