(July 16, 2013) -- The Long Beach Business Journal was first to report this afternoon that Mayor Bob Foster has chosen not to seek a third term via a write-in. 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. Reaction as received: Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske (updated emailed statement) "I join residents from throughout Long Beach in saying thank you to Mayor Bob Foster for his many years of public service. Although we haven’t always agreed on every issue, no one can question Mayor Foster’s commitment to our City. I look forward to continuing to work with him throughout the remainder of his term to improve our local neighborhoods and I hope he will find ways to continue to advocate for our region after he leaves office."

Doug Otto (emailed statement to the press) "During his two terms as Mayor, Bob Foster has brought the city through some very serious financial times, and he met those and other challenges with vigor and determination. We thank both Bob and Nancy for making Long Beach a better place. The dedicated service of Bob Foster, and Beverly O'Neill before him, have left our city poised to be not just a good city, but a great city. "I have had a hand in many of the city's major initiatives. I know my city inside and out, and I envision the great city Long Beach can become. I want to be the next Mayor of Long Beach to help us take that next step, and I am energized by the great support my campaign has received so far. My team and I are looking forward to the exciting months ahead as we carry our message for the future to the people of Long Beach."

(emailed statement to the press) "During his two terms as Mayor, Bob Foster has brought the city through some very serious financial times, and he met those and other challenges with vigor and determination. We thank both Bob and Nancy for making Long Beach a better place. The dedicated service of Bob Foster, and Beverly O'Neill before him, have left our city poised to be not just a good city, but a great city. Damon Dunn (emailed statement): "Public Service is hard and at times a thankless job. For eight years, Bob and Nancy have opened their personal lives and served the city of Long Beach. As a resident of Long Beach, I want to personally thank both Bob and Nancy for their service." Comments from other potential candidates will be published as received. LBREPORT.com welcomes our readers comments below. Further as it develops on LBREPORT.com View the discussion thread. blog comments powered by Disqus Follow LBReport.com w/

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