Chris Brown (California politician)

Chris Brown is an American former politician in the State of California. On November 5, 2013, Brown became the youngest mayor of the City of Hawthorne and the first African American mayor in the city's 91-year history.[1][2] Brown defeated incumbent Daniel "Danny" Juarez and Jose Gutierrez, winning 39.48 percent to 30.93 percent to 29.60 percent, respectively.[3] He was defeated during his re-election campaign by Mayor Alex Vargas in a subsequent election.

Mayor Chris Brown
City of Hawthorne, Mayor
In office
December 5, 2013 – December 1, 2015
Preceded byDaniel Juarez
Succeeded byAlex Vargas
Personal details
Born (1981-07-17) July 17, 1981
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)City of Hawthorne, California
Alma materNational University
Allied Schools (United States)
OccupationPolitician / Entrepreneur
WebsiteCampaign Website

In March 2014, Brown, in conjunction with Police Chief Bob Fager and the Hawthorne Police Officer Association, developed and adopted an action strategy to address fiscal and diversity concerns within the City of Hawthorne and its police force through Lateral Recruitment.[4]

On May 6, 2014, Mayor Brown introduced an ordinance to increase the minimum hourly wage to a "living wage" for workers hired by City of Hawthorne contract services providers, following the stall of the Federal "Living Wage" increase proposed by President Barack Obama stalled in Congress. The National Conference of State Legislatures, notes this year 34 states have considered and are moving forward with legislation to impose higher minimum wages.[5]

On August 17, 2014, via his Twitter account,[6] Brown proposed establishing a mandate on all uniformed city officers to wear cameras while on duty. "I am simply not willing to gamble with a single life, or the wrongful accusation of upstanding officers," Brown noted.[7]

On November 18, 2014, in an interview with ABC 7 News, Mayor Brown announced the comeback of the historic Hawthorne Plaza Mall as a new high-end outlet mall within two years. "The city has invested millions into increasing curb appeal of Hawthorne Blvd. to invite businesses that will provide much needed jobs," said the Mayor. The mall is estimated to increase city's yearly revenue by nearly 15%, between $6 and $8 million a year.[8]

Controversies

Since winning his first elected public office, Brown has twice faced eviction proceedings at city apartments and also racked up numerous personal debts for more than $8,000 worth of charter flights with Surf Air, campaign consulting services, and a nearly $20,000 loan from California Republic Bank.[9] He was evicted by court order last November 2014 from an apartment for six months of unpaid rent. He argued that the building was in disrepair and said he refused to pay out of protest. He then again faced eviction proceedings in March 2015 for four months of nonpayment at his subsequent residence.[10]

In April 2015, residents of Hawthorne began organizing an effort to force Brown to resign from office.,[11][12] Hawthorne residents began protesting City Council meetings over Chris Brown's excessive personal spending as Mayor, using taxpayer funds for lavish trips, meals, and hotel stays.[13]

In August 2015, Brown reportedly bounced a $1000 check payable to the city to cover the cost of printing his candidate statement in ballot materials. The fee was to pay for an optional 200-word statement that would be printed in guides and sample ballots sent to voters.[14]

References
  1. Hawthorne's First Black Mayor is also its youngest, KPCC, 04 December 2013
  2. Hawthorne dumps Danny Juarez, elects first black mayor, Daily Breeze, 5 November 2013
  3. City of Hawthorne Elects First Black Mayor; Political Novice Chris Brown Shocks South Bay, L.A. Watts Times, 14 November 2013
  4. Hawthorne's Mayor Chris Brown will Do Lateral Recruit to Strengthen Police Force and will Address Diversity Concerns, Los Angeles Sentinel, 06 March 2014
  5. Hawthorne may raise minimum wage standards for contract workers, DailyBreeze, May 2014
  6. , Twitter, 17 August 2014
  7. http://abc7.com/news/hawthorne-mayor-wants-cops-to-wear-cameras/271452/, ABC News, 19 August 2014
  8. http://abc7.com/business/hawthorne-staging-comeback-with-outlet-mall/401692/, ABC News, 18 November 2014
  9. http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20150908/hawthorne-mayor-chris-brown-bounced-check-to-pay-for-ballot-statement, Daily Breeze, 8 September 2015
  10. http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20150329/hawthorne-mayor-chris-brown-faces-second-eviction-for-not-paying-rent, Daily Breeze, 3 March 2015
  11. http://abc7.com/news/hawthorne-mayor-asked-to-resign-from-office-by-residents/662504/, ABC7 Eyewitness News, 15 April 2015
  12. http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20150415/hawthorne-residents-urge-mayor-chris-brown-to-step-down, Daily Breeze, 15 April 2015
  13. http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20150428/hawthorne-residents-protest-mayor-chris-browns-expenses-city-council-cancels-meeting, Daily Breeze, 28 April 2015
  14. http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20150908/hawthorne-mayor-chris-brown-bounced-check-to-pay-for-ballot-statement, Daily Breeze, 8 September 2015
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