There is now officially a race for Monrovia's open City Council seats.
Monrovia resident and Army National Guard officer Robert Parry announced Friday that he will mount a write-in campaign for City Council, challenging the two candidates on the ballot who filed to run for two open council spots.
In a letter to potential supporters, Parry said his decision to run came late because of the actions of Clarence Shaw, the former councilman who claimed he would run for re-election but then didn't and abruptly resigned after the filing period ended.
"I am late to the game, running as a write-in candidate," Parry wrote. "In mid-January, an incumbent pulled a fast one on the people of Monrovia and resigned from the council, which, in concert with other actions that in retrospect were clearly premeditated, left the City with two candidates running for two seats. The election would have been cancelled, but for the other council members' devotion to the fundamental concepts of democracy. Despite all of that, I would not be running, but for the fact that my upcoming deployment to Afghanistan was cancelled."
Parry was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley and graduated from the University of La Verne with a B.A. in journalism and obtained an MBA from the University of Southern California. He's contributed articles to various media outlets and is known locally as a former blogger for the now-defunct Foothill Cities Blog and current blogger for Patch. Parry is currently self-employed as a marketing consultant after serving three combat tours with the Army National Guard overseas.
Parry said on his campaign website that his experience will guide him in making decisions should he win election to the council.
"I make the people of Monrovia three promises in return for your vote: I will always do what I believe to be in the best interest of Monrovia," he wrote. "I will bring my experience as a father, husband, businessman and Army officer to every question. And I will respect all who come to participate in our democracy, regarding as a friend all who work to make Monrovia a better place to live, work and play."
Parry is the only person so far to announce a write-in campaign after the write-in filing period began earlier this week. He will challenge Larry Spicer and Alexander Blackburn in Monrovia's municipal elections on Apr. 9.
