Open Letter to the Citizens of Avalon
My name is Ralph Morrow.
I am running, once again, for the Office of M ayor. l have
held this position on 4 prior occasions. I have been a coun-
cilmem’oer 2 times.
Why am 1 running again? ,
To answer this question, I feel I need to re—introduce my-
self to those that know me and educate those who don’t to
earn their vote.
The limited opportunity to explore the backgrounds of
each candidate make it more difficult for the voters to choose
the best person for the job. This is why I am taking this op-
portunity to dedicate the time and expense to do this right. I
apologize in advance for the length of this letter, but I’ve been
around for a while.
I have lived through, and been a part of things in my life,
that my fellow candidates can only read about in history
books. i
I proudly served my country in the US. Navy.
- As an electrical engineer, I helped put a man on the
moon. ‘
- I have run businesses here and employed many.
- I have run Marathons, Triathlons, and other races.
I have served my community in many ways and have
dedicated myself to the betterment of Avalon and
Catalina Island. '
In short, I am a proven asset.
Am I too old for this?
Some peoplethink so. I don’t. Who else is going to do
the job that" needs to be done? Who has the experience?
There I was, out to pasture (at least I thought 50), retired,
and enjoying the fruits of my labor... when our City leader-
ship, once again asleep at the wheel, started with the same
old misguided nonsense that got me into politics years ago.
Their poorly thought out decisions placed Avalon, already in
a serious situation, into critical one.
Guys like me, from where I’m from, don’t tend to sit on
the sidelines and wait for things to get better. I’ve always
been the guy that gets off the couch and gets involved. Ihave
the energy to do the job and know what I am getting into. Ex-
perience counts a great deal.
What does the gray hair get you?
Experience, a proven track record, long term relation-
ships with the people who get things done, and the wisdom
to know what works and more to the point, what doesn’t.
I’ve seen the mistakes of the past and know where the
pitfalls lie. My experience can help Avalon get back on its
feet and serve well its residents and visitors alike.
Life before Avalon ‘
l was born in Los Angeles and my family lived in Comp-
ton. I grew up in an area of East Los Angeles as a minority
in a predominantly Hispanic community. I attended Cantwell
High School. After serving my country in the US. Navy as a
flight crew member and on the USS Midway. I left the Navy,
I graduated from West Coast University with BS in Electrical
Engineering and began my career in aerospace. I married the
love of my life, Patty and we began our life together. Also
during that time, I attended Western State University College
of Law.
I worked as a Design and System engineer with McDon-
nell Douglas Spacc Systems Center on the Apollo and Skylab
Programs. 1 was involved in Apollo and Skylab launches,
. working directly with our Astronauts, and the best and bright-
est scientists and engineers of our time.
That experience proved to me that nothing is impossible
and no task too great to undertake. If you wonder where my
“can-do” attitude comes from, there it is.
Falling in Love with Avalon
As my aerospace career wound down, my family always
Enjoyed our visits to Avalon and my wife Patty and I worked
to find a way to move here. In 1967, we bought a rental prop-
erty on Eucalyptus Ave. and in 1972 became full time resi-
dents and property owners in Avalon. We never looked back
and never considered making a life anywhere else.
Aval
" " We purchased the
Catalina Department
V Store (where the Avalon
Grill is today) and went
into business. We learned
the many lessons of what
~ it takes to survive in busi-
ness, make payroll, and
employ numerous people.
We received the support
of Avalon residents and
visitors alike and were
able to earn a living here. The people we worked with became
our closest friends and extended family.
Along the way I made the mistake of fixing my friend
Paul M cllroy’s TV and a TV repair service was born. Catalina
Electronics provided services to the residents and visitors to
Avalon for over 20 years.
Catalina Electronics lead to fixing a few TV antennas at
the time and Catalina Cable TV Co. was born. We provided
services to the community that in turn lead to Catalina Cable
TV and High Spebd Internet. We were granted the Cable TV
franchise by the City in 1985. We brought the internet to
Avalon in 1991. 5-years before ATSLT.
In 2012, I sold Catalina Cable TV to Catalina Broadband
Solutions and have now retired from that business. I own my
Lori. aim Miss Pat. Nick infijonl qr
the Catalina Department Store
own building. I don’t owe anybody or have an agenda ( other e
than Avalon) to be responsible for. I have no conflicts of in—
terest and can vote on any issue.
Promoting Other Businesses
Doing business and promoting business is at the base of
my involvement in Avalon. We are all in this together. The
success of one business often carries over to others.
For example, the Island Company and Chamber of Com-
merce have spent millions in advertising money in promoting
Catalina Island to our potential visitors. Every visitor they
attract will spend dollars at other businesses in Avalon.
Raising a Saniin
My wife and I raised two children here. My son, Nick
and daughter, Lori both went to Avalon Schools. Both are
grown and now live on the mainland. They enjoyed what
Catalina Island had to offer and the experiences gotten here
and nowhere else. My gandsons, Gus and Cole have a love
for the Island and are fast becoming involved in what
Catalina has to offer as well.
Property Owner, Builder 8 Contractor
My family has invested in Avalon. My parents owned
property here. I own the building at 222 Metropole. My wife
and I bought a run-down property and built our home and the
home of our business, Catalina Cable TV. I was the contractor
on the job and learned what it takes to build something in this
town. I have seen the planning process from the builder and
City Government sides of the equation.
Getting involved in Avalon
A constant theme with my family is to give back to
Avalon. I have been successful in this town simply because
I had the support of you the resident and the many visitors
who love Avalon. Without you, I would have never had op-
portunity to enjoy the life we have built here.
Just a sampling of the groups and causes I have sup-
ported over the years: VFW Post 4682, Rotary Club, Friends
of the Library. Toastmasters International, Avalon Hospital
Board of Trustees, Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce,
member and board member. Tuna Club, Honorary member
since I994. Tuna Club Foundation Committee member, Chil-
dren‘s Dental C linic, “R-Tap” Water treatment, reclamation,
& conservation group. Jazz Traxx: Art Goode / Jazz Traxx
Music Festival. Numerous athletic events, races, and events
that bring people to Avalon. Don’t forget Avalon’s Commu-
nity Swimming Pool Project... Since 1976!
Patty
My wife Patty, known to many
as Miss Pat, has been my best
-fiiend, harshest critic and great-
est supporter. She was my great—
est asset in every endeavor. My
successes are her doing.
She was a force of nature in this
town, involved in supporting so
many worthwhile endeavors.
Junior Golf, Kids at Play, Kid Ventures, and the Preschool
Auction and so much more. She was active in the Women’s
Forum as well.
This will be my first campaign without her. I have been
told more than once, many votes I received in prior elections
were only cast for her. I humbly accepted that endorsement.
Miss Pat, suffered a stroke and battled Alzheimer’s. She
continued to live an active life in Avalon till a second stroke
caused her death in 2012.
During that time, I acted as her caregiver. Also during that
time, I received again, the full support of this community.
For that I am truly grateful.
That experience and loss has taught me to never take a day
for granted and value every person that comes into your life.
You never know.
Politics is often about relationships
Over the years I have cultivated relationships with our
residents, City Government, State and Federal Government,
private citizens, and those who get things done for Avalon.
These relationships have helped get the needed resources to
our door. ' ' -
Nothing gets done by itself. It takes three votes. I have
worked with many people, Councils, and City managers over
the years. Only with cooperation can anything get done.
The good old days '
There are old guys like me and many Islanders that ro-
mantically wish for the “good old days” to return. The 30’s,
40’s and 50’s... pick an era. Thing is, the old days, when
Avalon was a shining jewel are long gone And the old days
are when all those attractions were brand new and state of the
art at the time. I think we overlook that fact. Avalon is still a
special place. But we need a little face lift.
Ralph it Miss Pal
1 know what it takes to be Mayor.
After serving this community as mayor and as a Coun-
cilmember, I know the job is a full time one. This is an im-
portant job. The Mayor of Avalon sets the tone and direction
for the Council. Simple as-that. Avalon deserves a mayor
who can dedicate their full-time and attention to this job. Es-
pecially now.
My worth to this community and my qualifications to
hold the office of Mayor are based upon the sum total of my
experiences and proven track record in Avalon for Avalon.
I am running for mayor because I have decided that
enough is enough. Our situation is, critical. I can no longer
afford to sit by and watch. Avalon needs a leader with a plan
and the experience to make it happen. I believe I am that
leader and need your vote to do it.
My door is always open. Let me know what you think.
Ralph Morrow
Cell: (310) 991-2067
ralphmorrow@catalinaisp.com
PO Box 465, Avalon CA 90704
PAID FOR MORROW FOR MAYOR
‘ "elegy; Mates '21". idioms"
