Rolling Hills Estates Councilmember Judy Mitchell was reappointed to the SCAQMD governing board Wednesday night, receiving an overwhelming majority of votes form the City Selection Committee in her Western Los Angeles District.
Mitchell, who is a past president of the League of California Cities and also serves at SCAG, is an appointee to the California Air Resources Board -- a seat she would have lost had she not been reappointed. Mitchell was challenged by newly elected Long Beach Councilmember Roberto Uranga, husband of former Long Beach Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga. Elected just last June, Uranga had the notable benefit of Long Beach's weighted vote int he district, amounting to 16 percent of the District which runs from Malibu to Long Beach, and up the 710 through the LA Gateway region.
Mitchell addressed the audience of rougly 35 mayors and recounted her service on SCAQMD's board and numerous committees. Uranga noted his own service on the I-710 advisory committee and the issues with the Port of LA/Long Beach, near his council district.
Mitchell carried the final vote handily, with only the cities of Cudahy and Hawiian Gardens joining Long Beach's vote to unseat her.