MANHATTAN BEACH — Manhattan Beach has a permanent mayor after having a vacancy in that position since July 2024.
Kevin Larson, who
, was sworn in at the council’s September meeting to fill the remainder of the term, which ends Dec. 31, 2026.
The Manhattan Beach City Council readdressed its mayoral vacancy at its July 1 regular meeting and opted to receive letters of interest for the open position, which the city posted on its website and bulletin board.
Kevin Larson
Council member Barb Hanson, who acted as mayor pro tempore during the vacancy, said she hoped to have her regular council position back and only took on the role of acting mayor because there was no one else to fill the role at the time.
With fewer than two years remaining on the four-year term, City Clerk/Treasurer Marlene Yurek said the council could appoint a mayor as opposed to having a special election for the position.
The council received only Larson’s letter of interest by its July 15 deadline and voted unanimously at its August regular meeting to appoint him mayor.
After being sworn in Sept. 2, Larson said it was an honor and a privilege to serve Manhattan Beach as mayor.
The 14-month mayoral vacancy arose after former longtime Mayor Paul Allen and council member Steve Amans
resigned during a 3-minute regular meeting
July 2, 2024, leaving just one council member, Hanson, and the clerk/treasurer, Yurek, on the five-member council.
Council member Jean Amundson had resigned her seat the month before.
Her resignation letter said, in part: “I do not wish to associate myself with the dynamics and attitudes of the current council.”
Mike Dozark, a former council member, and Ashley Hanson were appointed to the two vacant council seats at a July 2024 special meeting.
Tom Fraki is a news reporter for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal, covering news in Crosslake, Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes. He reports on Crosslake and Breezy Point city councils, as well as the Pequot Lakes School Board.
He also writes a personal column called Tom’s Take where he writes stories about himself and life in the lakes area.
Contact him at tom.fraki@pineandlakes.com or 218-855-5863 (be sure to leave a message).