Long Beach mayoral race heats up with three candidatesLONG BEACH, Wash. – Former Police Chief Dave Sexton wants to “fire” the mayor who fired him.

Sexton is running for mayor of Long Beach against incumbent Dale Jacobson. Also in the three-way primary race is former mayor, Ken Ramsey.

Jacobson, nearing the end of his first four-year term, said he is running again to see to conclusion the projects he and the City Council began.

“We are in the process of some really neat projects that I would like to be in office to see through,” said Jacobson. “The priority is getting Discovery Trail completed. The artwork being put in place is going to distinguish Long Beach from anything else on the West Coast as I know it.”

Sexton, who was dismissed as police chief in May, now heads the criminal justice program at Clatsop Community College. He said he wanted to pay back the city for the training he received during his time on the police force.

“I almost feel indebted to the city,” he said. “For last 4 1/2 years, Long Beach has kept up my training, my education. I have gone to the best, up-to-date, leadership and management training that they offer every year. Long Beach has invested a lot in keeping me current and I think I owe it to the people of Long Beach.”

Sexton said he did not know who his opponents would be when he paid the $60 registration fee to the county auditor, but he said he thought more people should get involved.

“If you look around at a lot of these small towns you will find politicians for life,” he said. “You don’t get a lot of community involvement, and I think if you are going to be part of a community, it is just your duty to get involved.”

Ramsey served two terms as mayor from 1991 to 1999 and served for eight years as a member of the City Council.

Four years ago. Ramsey stepped away from municipal government to spend time with family. Now, after retirement from the Public Utility District, he says he is ready to get involved again.

“I think it is important as community leaders to find out what the people want,” said Ramsey. “There are times when the City Council and the mayor need more cooperation to achieve their goals, and I can aid that cooperation.”

The two earning the most votes Sept. 16 will advance to the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

In other city filings, Ralph Moore is unopposed for the Long Beach City Council. There will be two contested races: Gordon Zuern will face Betty Ahern in one and Fred Cook and Joseph Strubelt will contest the other.

In Ilwaco, both City Council seats are contested. Fred Marshall faces Shirley Burt for one seat and David Fritts faces Mike Cassinelli for the other.

Ocean Beach School Board has no contested races. Unopposed are Kim Patten, Ed Guelfi and Marilyn Sheldon.