Irvine Council Member Beth Krom has announced that she will not be running for re-election this year.
Here is a letter she sent to the O.C. Register explaining her decision:
I wanted to let you know that, after much thought and consideration, I will not be seeking re-election to the Irvine City Council this November. Having been elected to four terms on the City Council and two terms as mayor, I have had the privilege of serving the citizens of Irvine during a period of considerable growth and change. I am humbled by the extraordinary community support I have enjoyed these past 16 years, and will always be proud of the many accomplishments I can reflect upon.
This decision is largely a personal one. The loss of our son seven years ago left me forever changed. There are other priorities to which I must now devote my time. While I look forward to applying my knowledge and skills in new and perhaps more creative ways, I will never stop taking an interest in our city’s future, and will continue to speak out on important matters both here in our local community and beyond.
Beth Krom
Irvine
While we have not appreciated the millions that Krom helped to waste by paying for needless P.R. for the Great Park, instead of actually building the park, we certainly understand how devastated she was when her son died just as he was ready to graduate from U.C. Santa Barbara. We wish her well as she retires from civic life.
In related news, Krom’s heir apparent, Melissa Fox, is running for the City Council again this November and she has an excellent chance of winning this time around as the GOP council candidates will be damaged by their party’s front-man, Donald Trump. And the Irvine Republican City Council majority has been bickering all year long. If they can’t get along it is unlikely they will be able to maintain control of the City Council.