“Obagi asked if Light would refrain from endorsing anyone for mayor in next year’s election. Light said yes, and that, “I am not going to run for mayor or city council.”

by Garth Meyer, Easy Reader News

Harbor Commissioner Jim Light was appointed the new mayor of Redondo Beach Tuesday night, Feb. 20, to serve out the remaining 13 months of the late Bill Brand’s final term.

The city council voted 3-2 to make the choice after extensive public input, including many endorsements of Light and a suggestion that Brand himself named Light on his deathbed as who he wanted to succeed him.

Light first said this in public comment to the council and Councilman Nils Nehrenheim said so as well.

“I know what he wanted because I was there and I asked him,” Nehrenheim said to a hushed council chambers Tuesday night. “On Friday morning (Feb. 9) at 9:30 I asked Mayor Brand and he pointed to Jim.”

Brand died that same evening.

Obagi Asked If Light Would Refrain From Endorsing Anyone For Mayor In Next Year’s Election. Light Said Yes, And That, “I Am Not Going To Run For Mayor Or City Council.”

Loewenstein reiterated the question and Light assured him he would not run for mayor.