By Nick Cerofeci
Staff Writer
City Council member Tony D’Errico was inaugurated as the new mayor of Manhattan Beach for the next nine and a half months at the Apr 19 City Council meeting.
The Manhattan Beach City Council members rotate mayoral terms every nine and a half months. When Mark Burton ended his nine and a half month term, D’Errico entered the office.
“I am very excited to be the new mayor of Manhattan Beach,” D’Errico said. “I see this opportunity as a great honor, privilege and responsibility to govern the residents of Manhattan Beach.”
D’Errico previously lived on the east coast and and moved to Manhattan Beach twenty years ago. He is the owner of two businesses, Bella Beach and Bella Beach Kids. As business owner he hopes to bring his experience in order to support other businesses and commercial property owners.
“I have a very strong background in business,” D’Errico said. “I have over thirty years of executive experience and have worked in different aspects including customer service, finance and human resources which help create leadership skills.”
D’Errico cites his leadership skills as one of many things he brings to the City Council. According to D’Errico, his thirty year long career of business has heavily influenced his diversity within the City Council by helping him know how to run meetings and allowing him to know what the people want.
“Through each of my businesses I got involved with the city and the residents of Manhattan Beach,” D’Errico said. “I realized that things that the community does not want can happen if you don’t have strong leadership to worry about a change in the city.
Mark Burton says he is happy to pass D’Errico position as mayor and knows he will do great in office. Burton explains that serving as the mayor was a dream and a passion come true.
“I look forward to Tony D’Errico’s time as mayor,” Burton said. “He’s got lots of business experience, he knows how to manage meetings, and most of all he cares about the residents. He definitely has what it takes.”
According to Burton, the best part of being mayor of Manhattan Beach being able to govern the wonderful people who live there. He wants D’Errico to have the same experience that he had as a voice for all of the residents.
“Although Manhattan Beach is a safe community, has an amazing location by the beach, and good schools, the best part are the residents who live here,” Burton said. “They are some of the most talented, well educated, respectful and loving people that you will find in any community.”
D’Errico plans to carry on what was started by Burton and other mayors before him. D’Errico has outlined three main policies that he would like to pursue in order to improve life in Manhattan Beach.
“I want Manhattan Beach to be known as the safest city, not only in California, but the United States,” D’Errico said. “Also, I want Manhattan Beach to become the most customer centric city and also be the most responsible city in terms of our infrastructures as well as revenue streams.”
Manhattan Beach resident and Pacific Elementary PTA president Shannon Nicholson came in contact with D’Errico at several times. Nicholson has been acquainted with D’Errico in the past and is optimistic about his time as mayor.
“Tony D’Errico really listens to what the citizens of Manhattan Beach have to say,” Nicholson said. “He understands and acknowledges what the citizens want for Manhattan Beach and takes action.”
D’Errico claims that his strong business background, leadership skills and his goals as the new leader of the City Council will help as he starts his term as the mayor of Manhattan Beach.
“When I moved here people told me that I would make me a great addition to the city council,” D’Errico said. “I definitely had the time to put into it and I am really happy that I can give back to the community that I love so much.”
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