Fox meets with Mayor and does not file

Fox decides not to file paperwork for Mayor race after 2-hour meeting with Mayor

CONO Executive Director Robert Fox announced in a community email that he would not run for Mayor after a two-hour meeting with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. 

Fox had pulled nominating papers for the race on Thursday, January 11th. The deadline for filing was Friday, January 12th at 5:00 pm.

In his email ( see below). Fox describes items discussed by the Mayor and himself.  It is not clear from his email who called the meeting.

In the email, Fox keeps his political options open. Fox lives in the 2nd District where a Recall Petition is currently being circulated to force a recall election for 2nd District Councilwomen Jeannie Pearce.

This is the Fox email sent on Friday, January 12th at 6:31 pm:

Today with filled out paperwork in hand ready for the City Clerk I met privately with Mayor Robert Garcia for over 2 hours.   Since I pulled the paperwork to run for Mayor a day ago, the landscape had changed in the City.   I so appreciate your support and faith in me. 

My goal has always been to represent the desires and will of you all.  Our purpose in opposing the LUE galvanized this City. Our unanimous opposition to Rent Control was one of our critical issues. 

In discussion with Robert today if I did not run for the Mayorship he would pull the LUE off of the February calendar.  In fact, he would have a Traffic Element done on the LUE, an outside legal consultant review all aspects of the State laws from 2017 and those proposed for 2018 and how they might impact the LUE. 

These are great accomplishments.  However, there is more.  The Mayor will announce tonight the formation of Mayoral/ CONO sponsored Roundtable meetings in each council district so that we can actually alter the maps ourselves and create a new General Plan.  Staff will not be in charge but will be present to WRITE DOWN and RECORD, all recommendations for alteration. 

We will have a new General Plan designed by the people. 

Robert Garcia will also pronounce in his announcement tonight his opposition to Rent Control and some reasons for his position. 

I took my ego out of this equation and tried to find a way to forestall the LUE from February, find inclusion in the alteration before it goes to Council and to assure that we get a review of traffic, parking, and legal consequences before finalizing this new General Plan Document.   

You all will have a place at this table in your council district. 

We spoke on many more issues, and have come to a meeting of minds on most all of the subjects we discussed.   The Mayor promised to keep his word as he is a man of integrity.   I am grateful for the sincere and forthright meeting with Robert. 

These basic points of our intentions are secured now.  I wish to thank all of you who supported my effort to effect these enormous agreements and positive decisions for the People of Long Beach. 

Although I will not be running for Mayor right now, I have every intention of keeping my hand in the political stream.   As always we must be firm, committed and keep the best interests of Long Beach in our hearts.   This polite yet forthright conversation yielded great rewards for us all. 

I hope you will not be too disappointed that I put our principles and purpose before my desire to run for Mayor. 

New days dawn, and I will not disappear.   I look forward to your continued support and your thoughts and cooperation as we move forward with this new inspiration. 

Thank you so much. 

Robert Fox 

Remember we need 5 votes on City Council to change the City.