Armato sworn in as mayor
Foul weather didn’t stop residents and well-wishers from packing the Hermosa Beach Council Chambers last Thursday, as Stacey Armato took over as mayor, and Councilmember Jeff Duclos surrendered the gavel.
“I think it’s perfect that we had a huge storm tonight. The reason is that this woman is a force of nature,” said Councilmember Mary Campbell, who was also sworn in as mayor pro tem that evening.
Armato began her remarks by highlighting all that the city had accomplished under her predecessor Duclos, including the opening of gourmet grocer Lazy Acres, the start of work on the Skechers project on Pacific Coast Highway, and the hiring of new City Manager Suja Lowenthal, who replaced interim City Manager John Jalili in September. Armato promised to work to live up to Duclos’ tenure, and said she would make transparency and openness with residents paramount during her mayoralty.
Duclos received compliments throughout the ceremony on his efforts to foster civility, and on the perspective he was able to offer as the councilmember with the longest history in Hermosa.
“It’s a privilege to serve as mayor of a city. And it’s especially a privilege when it’s the place you’ve lived for the last 40 years,” he said.
