Former Petaluma City Councilman Mike Harris announced Friday he is running for mayor of Petaluma in the November 2018 election. A local businessman, Harris was first elected to the council in 2002 and served three terms before stepping down after losing a close race for mayor to David Glass in 2014. “It was an honor serving the citizens of Petaluma for 3 terms as a council member and I am eager to serve as mayor,” Harris said in a statement. “As mayor I will make attracting business to our city a top priority and will work hand in hand with the city’s economic development team to fully implement the adopted economic strategic plan to continue to heal our city financially.” Harris is an executive for a local financial services company. He has served as Petaluma’s representative to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, as chairman of the Youth Commission, as chairman of the Technology Committee and as chairman of Petaluma’s Transit Committee, among other city boards. He has also served on the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum Board of Directors and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Educational Foundation and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Harris is the Chairman of the Friends of the Santa Rosa Junior College Trust for the Petaluma Campus. Harris has a BA from Sonoma State University in management. Harris is the first candidate to announce for either city council or mayor for the election that is 15 months away. Glass has not yet indicated whether he will seek reelection. We at Local Hereos Auto support Mike on this endeavor & Wish him the Best of Success!!! Mike's Full announcement: Mike Harris Public Aug 5, 4:29 PM Businessman & 3 term Councilmember Mike Harris has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Petaluma for the 2018 election. "It was an honor serving the citizens of Petaluma for 3 terms as a Councilmember and I am eager to serve as Mayor.” "As Mayor I will make attracting business to our city a top priority and will work hand in hand with the City’s economic development team to fully implement the adopted economic strategic plan to continue to heal our city financially" says Harris. "During my time on the City Council, I was proud of the revitalization of our downtown core, inclusive of a theater coming back to town." "I'm proud that we were finally able to move forward and complete 2 large projects in Petaluma that are now bringing in much needed tax revenue to the City and job opportunities for the citizens of Petaluma” stated Harris. “Traffic congestion continues to be an issue in Petaluma and as a steadfast supporter of the Rainier cross-town connector and interchange, I will continue to strive to make this much needed traffic fix a reality,” says Harris. “In addition to the traffic congestion issue throughout the city, we have other infrastructure issues in town such as the tremendous amount of potholes that continue to plague our city’s streets. Fixing our infrastructure needs to be a top priority for the City,” stated Harris. “The housing issue that is forcing many families from the area because of sky rocketing costs is another huge issue that the city needs to address. We need additional housing opportunities for the citizens of our community, so they can afford to stay in town,” says Harris. Harris was elected to the Petaluma City Council in 2002 and was the top vote getter in the 2006 and 2010 races with 6 candidates running in 2006 and with 9 candidates running in 2010. Harris is an Executive for a local financial services company that employs approximately 160 employees in Petaluma and has worked there for 25 years. Harris has served as Petaluma's representative to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, served as Chairman of the Youth Commission, served as Chairman of the Technology Committee and as Chairman of Petaluma's Transit Committee. In addition Harris has served on Petaluma's Airport Commission, Animal Services Advisory Committee, Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission to name a few. Harris also served as the Vice Mayor of Petaluma in 2005. Since the 2014 election (which was one of the closest elections in the City’s history) Harris has continued to serve the community. He has served on the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum Board of Directors and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Educational Foundation and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition Harris is the Chairman of the Friends of the Santa Rosa Junior College Trust for the Petaluma Campus. Dan Libarle, Don Ramatici and Anthy O’Brien will serve as the honorary chairs of the Harris for Mayor campaign. In addition, Kathleen Doyle will serve as the campaign’s Treasurer. Harris has a BA from Sonoma State University in Management (Accounting emphasis) and a Minor in Economics. PO Box 751361 Petaluma, CA 94975 707-773-3196 [email protected] www.harrisforpetaluma.com