Anaheim’s Mayor Won’t Seek Reelection : Ben Bay’s Decision Sets Stage for Turbulent November Contest

In a surprise announcement, Anaheim Mayor Ben Bay on Tuesday said that he will not seek reelection or run for a seat on the City Council in November.

Bay, who was appointed to the council in 1979 and elected mayor in 1986, did not divulge the reasons for his decision, which he announced at Tuesday’s council session.

He could not be reached for comment later in the day.

Although he had not been actively campaigning, Bay’s decision surprised many.

‘A Real Shocker’

“That’s a real shocker,” said Orange County Supervisor Donald R. Roth when he heard of Bay’s decision. “I’m really kind of surprised.” Bay succeeded Roth as mayor of Anaheim.

Roth and city political activists said Bay’s decision sets the stage for a turbulent mayoral contest in November between Anaheim councilmen Irv Pickler and Fred Hunter.

Hunter has announced he will run for mayor.

Pickler, who lost a mayoral bid to Bay in 1986, has said he is strongly considering another run for the top post in November.

“It will make things a lot more exciting in Anaheim,” said Harvey Englander, a Newport Beach-based political consultant. “Depending on who wins his seat, that will determine where the city goes for the next two years.”

Councilman William D. Ehrle has said he will seek reelection in November.

When elected mayor, Bay formed an alliance on the council with Hunter and Ehrle. But as the council was buffeted by controversy over the city budget, a power struggle with the former city manager and redevelopment in the city, that alliance grew shaky.

“Bay had hoped when elected mayor to have a mandate to run the city but that did not occur,” Englander said. “He tried to continue what Don Roth had when he was mayor but did not have Don’s personality. He did not go out and put coalitions together.”

‘Not Too Rewarding’

Roth described the mayor’s office in Anaheim as “not too rewarding. The time requirements are so consuming and they only pay you $800 a month.”

Pickler and Councilwoman Miriam Kaywood often opposed Bay on issues. Kaywood accused Bay of being “out to take control of the city” shortly after his mayoral election.

Bay, a registered Republican, is considered a conservative mayor who supported business and spoke often of the need for less government in people’s lives. He is known for an abrupt manner at council sessions.

Last year, Bay told Anaheim Hills residents opposing a new church in their neighborhood: “We never promised you a rose garden.”

Bay, 62, is a retired project administrator for Rockwell International in Anaheim. He was appointed unanimously to the City Council in 1979 when William Kott resigned to go to medical school in Mexico.

He easily won election to a four-year term in 1980 and was appointed interim mayor for seven weeks in 1982 to fill a vacancy left by John Seymour, who was elected to the state Senate. He later beat Picker in 1986 in the race for mayor after Roth was elected supervisor.