Today is a sad day in Torrance.
Colonel, Pastor, and City Councilman Milton Herring has announced his resignation from the Torrance City Council, which will be effective June 30th, 2019.
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Here is the full press release issued by the Torrance City Website:
Torrance, Calif., May 23, 2019 – On May 22, 2019 Torrance
City Councilman Milton S. Herring I. announced his resignation from office
effective June 30, 2019.
City Councilman Milton S. Herring I. announced his resignation from office
effective June 30, 2019.
In his resignation letter, Herring writes, “Serving on the
Torrance City Council has been an honor and privilege. Public service is an
honorable calling, and I have been blessed to help lead the City during the
past 3 years […] It is with a heavy heart that I, with the support of my wife,
have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as Councilmember
to dedicate more time to my family, and enjoy watching my grandchildren grow
up.”
Torrance City Council has been an honor and privilege. Public service is an
honorable calling, and I have been blessed to help lead the City during the
past 3 years […] It is with a heavy heart that I, with the support of my wife,
have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as Councilmember
to dedicate more time to my family, and enjoy watching my grandchildren grow
up.”
Herring serves as Chair of the Strategic Plan Committee, as
well as the alternate Council liaison to the Torrance Sister City Association,
as a member of the Finance and Governmental Operations and Transportation
Committee, Armed Forces Day Committee, State Legislative Advocacy Committees,
as well as the alternate for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Prior
to his resignation he served as chairman of the Transportation Committee, as a
member of the Citizen Development and Enrichment and the Strategic Plan
Committee. He has been credited with advocating for our military and veterans
and assisted in creating an Annual Veterans Appreciation Celebration and Social
Services Commission. Earlier this year with concurrence from City Council,
Councilman Herring participated in the creation of the City’s Torrance SERVES campaign,
a month-long citywide celebration of service leaders. Aligned with Martin
Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the celebration honored the service leaders of
past and present with intentions of empowering the community to bring
volunteers together for service projects that honor the spirit of giving,
public service, and volunteerism.
well as the alternate Council liaison to the Torrance Sister City Association,
as a member of the Finance and Governmental Operations and Transportation
Committee, Armed Forces Day Committee, State Legislative Advocacy Committees,
as well as the alternate for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Prior
to his resignation he served as chairman of the Transportation Committee, as a
member of the Citizen Development and Enrichment and the Strategic Plan
Committee. He has been credited with advocating for our military and veterans
and assisted in creating an Annual Veterans Appreciation Celebration and Social
Services Commission. Earlier this year with concurrence from City Council,
Councilman Herring participated in the creation of the City’s Torrance SERVES campaign,
a month-long citywide celebration of service leaders. Aligned with Martin
Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the celebration honored the service leaders of
past and present with intentions of empowering the community to bring
volunteers together for service projects that honor the spirit of giving,
public service, and volunteerism.
Herring’s resignation immediately creates a vacancy on the
Torrance City Council. The six-member
City Council may choose to have a special election or appoint a new councilmember
to fill the vacancy. Councilman Herring was elected into office on June 7,
2016.
Torrance City Council. The six-member
City Council may choose to have a special election or appoint a new councilmember
to fill the vacancy. Councilman Herring was elected into office on June 7,
2016.
I imagine that more information will be forthcoming on this matter. A special election would cost a minimum of $100,000. It's expensive!
On the other hand, an appointment might awaken frustrations or a sense of insider power-politicking. If there is an appointment, let's hope that it won't awaken a sense of "starter advantage" for the upcoming city council elections, which will be held next March.