Val Lerch, current Vice Mayor of Long Beach, will run for a third term as a write-in candidate for the Ninth District Council seat in next April’s election. He filed his intention statement with the City Clerk yesterday morning, according to a press release.

“When I am re-elected I will continue to work as hard as I have for the Ninth District and the entire city,” said Lerch, in a statement.

In the release, Lerch referenced support he has received as one of the main reasons for his decision.  “At every single neighborhood meeting I have been asked to run again,” he said, also referring to support from his wife and family.

In the release, Lerch expressed interest in finishing five projects: Fire Station 12, Restaurant Row at Artesia & Atlantic, the new North Long Beach library, North Village and a grocery store located at Orange & Artesia.

“North Long Beach has worked hard to get these projects off the ground and it would be a shame to have someone who has different priorities be elected,” Lerch said.

He cited examples of projects completed during his eight-year term as the Ninth District representative, such as three new parks, a new North Long Beach Police Substation and the opening of new stores in the neighborhood.

Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.