MyNewsLA.com. Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. The Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commission Tuesday elected commissioner James Johnson to serve as the new president following the retirement of Larry Gross, who stepped down last month after more than 10 years as a member. The commissioners voted 30 to elect Johnson, who joined the board in April 2023. Commissioner James Jensvold was absent during the vote. Johnson will fill the vacancy left by Gross, which only extends until the next meeting on July 23. In the board s last meeting of July, commissioners will hold elections once again for the positions of president and vice president for a oneyear term. Commissioners said that Johnson is very passionate and cares deeply about the animals and people that work in the city s shelters. Johnson has previously served as political director of the California League of Conservation Voters, and chief political coordinator of Service Employees International Union Local 721. Gross announced he would step down from the fivemember board and retire effective June 30, citing no other reason other than it s time. . Sign up here for our free newsletters. We ll send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon. . MyNewsLA.com won t sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. It s been an absolute honor and privilege to serve on this commission, Gross said, adding that his commitment to animal welfare in the city is and always will be unwavering. . Former Mayor Eric Garcetti in February 2014 appointed Gross to the board, and he was later elected vice president in July 2015 and president in April 2017. Gross is also the executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival, a leading L.A. tenants rights organization. Mayor Karen Bass will have 45 days from the date of Gross resignation to nominate a new appointee. Whoever Bass nominates would then go to a City Council committee for consideration before final approval by the full council. Council members are in recess until July 30th. During Gross final meeting on June 26, LAAS General Manager Staycee Dains praised him for his stewardship during a challenging era for the city s animal shelters, which have dealt with persistent staffing and budgeting shortages, and have seen a steady and sometimes explosive growth in the population of unwanted pets. There are many, many concerns we face, as we know, but I believe the department is in good and competent hands with Mayor Bass, General Manager Dains, and our staff and volunteers, Gross said. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked. Comment. Name. Email. Website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . . . Sign up here for our free newsletters. We ll send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon. . Check for a confirmation email, and then you're all set withMyNewsLA.com!
James Johnson was elected as the new president of the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commission following Larry Gross' retirement after 10 years. Johnson, who joined the board in April 2023, will serve until the next meeting on July 23. Gross retired citing it was time, and Mayor Karen Bass will nominate a new appointee within 45 days. LAAS faced challenges during Gross' tenure, including staffing shortages and an increase in unwanted pets.