Long Beach mayor elect wants to see economic growth

Long Beach Mayor Elect George Bass says he’s ready to get to work growing the city economically.
The retired fire chief of 35 years pulled 61 percent of the vote in the beginning of May, avoiding a runoff.
Bass tells News 25 he has already began preparing to take the seat of current mayor and good friend of his Billy Skellie, who chose not to run for re-election.
Bass says he’s been working closely with Mayor Skellie, who’s been showing him the ropes and taking him to meetings, learning all about how to handle what lies ahead.
Bass says he has a vision for Long Beach that includes things like adding more welcome signs to the edges of the city. “We’ve got to grow Long Beach economically, whatever that takes. Making it a fit for Long Beach. It’s got to be something that we’re happy with, that the citizens are happy with. It’s also got to be productive for us, something that we can see to bring in, the things that are going to allow us to do the things that are going to help us put in new sidewalks and maybe some bike paths that create some living conditions that are what people are looking for.”
Mayor Elect George Bass will officially take office July 1st.