John Riley (mayor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John B. Riley
Mayor of Opa-Locka, Florida
In office 1984–1986
Preceded by	Helen L. Miller
Succeeded by	Robert B. Ingram
City Commission of Opa-locka, Florida
In office 1982–1986
Personal details
Born	1943/1944 (age 80–81) Gadsden, Alabama
Alma mater	University of Maryland

John B. Riley was an American politician. He served as the mayor and a commissioner for the city of Opa-Locka, Florida. He was born around 1943 or 1944.

Early Life and Education

John B. Riley was born in Gadsden, Alabama. He later studied at the University of Maryland. Before becoming a politician, he was in charge of the Opa-Locka Housing Authority. This organization helps people find homes.

Political Career in Opa-Locka

Becoming a City Commissioner

In 1982, John Riley decided to run for a seat on the Opa-Locka City Commission. He didn't win in the first election. However, a special election was held later that year. Riley won this election on November 2, 1982. This allowed him to become a City Commissioner until April 1984.

Serving as Mayor

In April 1984, Riley ran for the City Commission again. He received the most votes. This meant he would serve a four-year term as commissioner. For the first two years of this term, he would also be the mayor of Opa-Locka.

During his time as mayor, Riley worked to improve the city's finances. He successfully balanced the city's budget. He also started a plan to develop the downtown area. This involved changing how land could be used. He also oversaw the completion of the city hall's restoration.

Riley suggested that the city should have a "strong mayor" system. This would give the mayor more power. While this idea didn't pass, he did get the City Commission to agree to a new rule. From then on, voters would directly elect the mayor. Before this, the person who got the most votes for commissioner would automatically become mayor for the first two years.

Later Elections

Riley resigned as mayor on November 4, 1986. He wanted to run for re-election as mayor under the new direct election system. In the October 1986 mayoral primary election, he finished fourth. A run-off election was held in November, which he did not participate in.

John Riley continued to run for political office in Opa-Locka in later years.

• In November 1998, he ran for a seat on the City Commission but did not win.
• In November 2002, he ran for mayor but lost in the primary election.
• In September 2004, he ran for mayor in a special election. He received a good number of votes but did not win.
• In November 2012, he ran for a seat on the City Commission again, but was unsuccessful.
• In November 2018, he ran for mayor once more in a four-person race. He lost to Matthew Pigatt.