Seal Beach's Longest Serving Councilman Casts His Last Vote

Charles Antos cast his last official vote as a Seal Beach city councilman this week, and it was a big one.

Along with the rest of the council, he voted to approve a $2-million project to develop the city’s portion of the San Gabriel River Bikeway Trail despite the objections of a real estate group looking to build homes on the same property that houses a portion of the trail.

After serving eight years, Antos will step down due to term limits, and Councilwoman-Elect Ellery Deaton will take his place at the next City Council meeting as the District 1 representative. First elected in 2002, Antos is the longest-serving member of the current council.

City officials credit him with supporting a number of city improvement projects, including the Marina Drive bridge, the Old Town sewer lining and manhole upgrades, the annual concrete repair program, pier decking replacement, the east sand beach replenishment and nourishment project, the replacement of fire station 48, the Police Department remodel and the decision to add the “In God We Trust” motto in City Council chambers.

At his final council meeting, Antos kept his remarks characteristically brief.

“I am going to continue to be involved in the city after I leave the council, and I am not going to dry up and blow away,” he said. “Thank you very much for the opportunity to serve the people of Seal Beach for the time I was on the council.”

Before stepping down, Antos added one final request of city officials. “Consider in the upcoming budget year to at least take a look at the Ocean Avenue alley,” he asked. “It’s in really bad shape.”

A fellow councilman took a few moments at the start of the meeting to thank him for his mentorship as the longest serving city leader. “We are going to miss you,” said Councilman Gordon Shanks. “Thanks for all the time and effort you put into the city.”

Mayor Michael P. Levitt also added his gratitude. “You have done a great job, and you represent your district as well as anyone ever could,” said Levitt.