Lodi council to choose new mayor

The Lodi City Council is slated to vote for a new mayor and mayor pro tem during Wednesday’s city council meeting.

Historically, the position of mayor has rotated annually from council member to council member.

The current mayor pro tem, Alan Nakanishi, is next in line to replace current Mayor Doug Kuehne, and if tradition holds, this will be his third time serving the city in this capacity.

Nakanishi said that public safety, parks and recreation and fiscal responsibility are three areas he hopes to focus on during the next year. Emphasizing healthy living for the residents of Lodi is also an issue he’d like to address if chosen as mayor.

Being mayor can sometimes be very challenging with all the state regulations and mandates and the issues that come in to play, Nakanishi said, adding that he is optimistic about taking on the job.

His fellow council members also have faith in his abilities as mayor.

“He did it before. He’ll do a great job again,” Councilwoman Joanne Mounce said.

Councilman Bob Johnson agreed.

“Alan is a different type of personality from Doug. He’s a lot more low key, but he has the experience,” Johnson said. “He’s done the job before so there is no reason to think that if he is elected mayor that he wouldn’t do a good job. It’s not like his first rodeo.”

Kuehne said his year as mayor has been “spectacular.”

“It’s been a privilege to serve as mayor of Lodi. I’m so proud of our city and our citizens. It makes being the mayor of Lodi a complete pleasure,” Kuehne said.

He was proud to say that during his year as mayor the city was able to complete the Harney Lane grade separation a year earlier then anticipated, the Kettleman

Lane underpass was replanted and the mayor’s Love Your Block campaign was established and is moving along with several projects already being completed.

The biggest accomplishments for the city during his tenure as mayor were the funding of the homeless liaison position and adopting the shopping cart ordinance, Kuehne said. Officer Ryan Holz has been able to get 50 people off the streets during his four months as the homeless liaison, Kuehne said.

While his year was full of many highs and accomplishments, Kuehne noted that last week’s MHA Homes grand opening was the most memorable moment of his year as mayor.

The biggest challenge he faced during his year as mayor was being able to move projects forward in an expedient fashion, Kuehne said. Despite the challenges he may have faced, some of his fellow council members felt he did a superb job as mayor.

“I think that Doug did an excellent job as mayor,” Johnson said. “I just think the guy has thrown tremendous energy into the job.”

Wednesday’s council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Carnegie Forum.