Today in History: Mayor Seeks Re-Election, Later Forced From Office

On Oct. 7, 1973, the Imperial Beach Star-News reported that Imperial Beach Mayor Bert Stites announced that he will seek re-election the following year.

The 48-year-old mayor said he would seek a second term because he wanted to spearhead the development of the city's beachfront.

According to the Tijuana Estuary's historical account, Stites was once quoted as saying "I don't care if we concrete the world."

Efforts to build a marina were prevented when IB's coastal wetland were made into the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge in 1980. The land would earn federal protection two years later.

Stites was the city's fourth mayor but its first elected mayor. Before Stites, City Council appointed a mayor.

He was recalled in 1977 but under Stites’ tenure he created a mayor’s office at City Hall.

“The mayors operated out of their homes. I set this office up,” Stites told the paper. “I insited on it. I felt the mayor should have an office for people to come to in City Hall.”