Inglewood Mayor James Butts to join Metro Board

City of Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts will be joining the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LACMTA) board. “Southwest Corridor” cities voted for a new official to represent them on the Metro Board of Directors.  He will replace Pam O’Connor, of the City of Santa Monica, who has served since 2011.  Mayor Butts will join L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas as the boards only African-Americans.O’Connor was appointed to the California Transportation Committee which will work towards implementing mileage based user fees, to replenish the depleting Excise Tax fund.

“It is an honor to have the vote of my peers and watch Inglewood continue to rise.” said Mayor Butts.

Mayor Butts’ addition to the board will bring much needed representation to the South Bay, specifically the City of Inglewood, for funding of transportation related projects. With O’Connors appointment to the commission, Mayor Butts is expected to be approved by the full City Selection Committee in January, and will serve a four-year term that ends January 2019.

There is no term limit to serving on the Metro Board nor as Mayor of Inglewood, so Butts will be a major player for transportation issues.

Although Mayor Butts does not possess the transportation “experience” that Ms. O’Connor has, it didn’t stop him from receiving nearly 60% of his colleague’s votes. Fresh off an 84% landside in his re-election last month, and the documented success in the City of Inglewood, Mayor Butts is a proven leader dating back to his days serving in law enforcement. Mayor Butts is definitely the right person to represent the South Bay on the Metro board and more importantly, will be fair to all cities he will represent.

Metro Express Lanes revenue bypassed South Bay cities and Mayor Butts will fight to ensure every city receives their fair share of Measure R revenue.