Torrance Councilman Herring’s resignation was a stunner; his decision to rescind it is an even bigger surprise
Council peers and numerous local residents had urged him privately to reconsider. Herring will now serve until the council election in March.
First-term Torrance Councilman Milton Herring has rescinded the resignation he unexpectedly submitted less than a month ago “as the right thing to do” after some fellow panelists and numerous local residents urged him privately to reconsider.
Herring, the city’s first black council member, announced in mid-May that he intended to step down 10 months ahead of the conclusion of his term, citing family reasons.
But the retired Army chaplain emailed municipal officials late Monday informing them he had reconsidered, although the information wasn’t made public until the Daily Breeze on Thursday made a California Public Records Act request for the letter.
“After consulting with my family and praying about it, I have decided to finish my term, and therefore, I am rescinding my resignation that I sent on May 22, 2019,” he wrote in the brief email.
“For the past three years I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve with my fellow council members and consider it an honor to be part of the growth of this great city,” Herring added. “I appreciate the calls, texts and emails of encouragement which helped with my decision.”
Herring did not provide any reasons for his change of heart in his letter, but said Thursday that he wanted to follow through on issues he was involved in that included the construction of the long-delayed transit center and the development of the city’s strategic plan.
In addition, Herring said he had “reached out” to the Black Lives Matter protesters who have staged protests at council meetings in the last few months over the killing of Christopher D’Andre Mitchell by Torrance police officers. Police have said he was sitting at the wheel of a stolen car with what turned out to be an air rifle between his legs in the dark and did not follow instructions.
But Herring said he’s ready to talk, adding that the protests played no part in his initial decision to resign.
“I hear their anger, I feel their pain,” he said, “and i just want to create some dialog between them and the city.”
Councilman Mike Griffiths, who was among those who urged Herring to reconsider, said that while he was unaware of the basis for his reconsideration, he was happy to hear of it.
“The City Council faces enough distractions at the moment with the (Black Lives Matter) protests and other things going on,” he said. “So to go through the long process of appointing a replacement city council member is something the city of Torrance does not need at this time.” he said.
“I would rather let the people of Torrance choose at the election in March,” Griffiths added.
Herring’s seat is among those up for election with the panel reorganized into districts for the first time.
He is not expected to run for re-election.
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