Sak Yamamoto | |
|---|---|
 Sak Yamamoto, mayor of Carson | |
| Mayor of Carson | |
| In office 1973–1974 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Marbut |
| Succeeded by | Gilbert D. Smith |
| In office 1977–1979 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Marbut |
| Succeeded by | Kay A. Calas |
| City Council of Carson | |
| In office 1968–1970 | |
| In office 1972–1979 | |
| Succeeded by | Sylvia L. Muise |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sakae Yamamoto January 17, 1914 Washington |
| Died | June 28, 1997 (age 83) |
| Spouse | Greta Yamamoto |
| Children | 4 |
Sakae "Sak" Yamamoto (January 17, 1914 – June 28, 1997) is an American politician who served as the first Asian-American mayor of Carson, California.
Biography
Yamamoto was born on January 17, 1914, in Washington. [1] During World War II, as a Japanese-American, he was interned along with his wife at the Tulare Race Tracks in Tulare, California. [1] After the war, he moved to Addison, Illinois where he was elected to the DuPage County Board of Education. [1] In 1954, he and his family move to Carson, California. He became politically active after he was forced to sell his house for a new school. [1] In 1960, he served on the board of the Dominguez-Carson Fact Finding Committee which determined to incorporate the area as a city. [1] After six prior attempts, on February 6, 1968, a successful vote was made to incorporate and Yamamoto was elected to a two-year term on the City Council [1] along with John A. Marbut, who was named first mayor, John L. Junk, mayor pro tem, Gilbert D. Smith, and H. Rick Clark. [2] He lost his seat in the 1970 election but was re-elected to the City Council in 1972 where he served until 1979. [1] During that period, he was selected as mayor in 1973, 1977, 1978. [1] In February 1979, he helped to secure a new Bridgestone distribution facility in the city. [3] In May 1979, a group denominated Carsonites Organized for Good Government filed a recall petition against Yamamoto and fellow councilman John Marbut for poor leadership, putting the interests of business ahead of the people, [4] and for awarding a new five-year garbage contract to other than the low bidder while also prematurely ending debate. [5] The recall petition was successful. [5] [6] Their political ally, then-mayor Kay Callas, was not recalled although she voted for the contract, she did not support ending debate. [5] Yamamoto was replaced by Sylvia L. Muise and Marbut was replaced by Thomas G. Mills, both were leaders of the recall effort. [2] He filed for re-election to the City Council in 1982 [7] but did not win finishing fourth. [8]
Personal life
He was married to Greta Yamamoto; they had four children: Glen, Karen, Brenda, and Janice. [1] He died on June 28, 1997, and was buried at Green Hills Memorial Park. [1]
He had a cameo appearance as mayor in the 1974 film Gone in 60 Seconds. [9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gougis, Michael (July 2, 1997). "Former Carson Mayor Yamamoto Dies At 83". San Pedro News-Pilot – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ a b "Past Elected Officials". Carson City government website. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Bridgestone opens huge new facility in Carson". The Daily Breeze. February 25, 1979 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Group Files Petitions to Recall Two Councilman". The Los Angeles Times. May 10, 1979 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Allan, Robert J. (May 31, 1979). "Councilmanic Recall Drive Qualifies for Special Vote". The Los Angeles Times. pp. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Smith, Doug (October 21, 1979). "Carson Councilman Says He'll Postpone Resignation Until 2 Council Seats Are Filled". The Los Angeles Times – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bronson, James (March 21, 1982). "8 candidates vie for two Carson Council seats". The Daily Breeze. pp. 5A, 5B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Smith, Doug (April 15, 1982). "Muise, Mills Win In Carson Voting". The Los Angeles Times. pp. 1, 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gnarre, Sam (September 20, 2014). "Sak Yamamoto, former Carson mayor and unlikely film star". South Bay Daily Breeze.