Avi Gruber, mayor of Ramat Hasharon since 2016, announced Tuesday that he will not run for office in the upcoming elections. In a Facebook post, Gruber urged residents: "I sincerely hope for the city that a corrupt and evil man with disgrace in his past will not serve as mayor." Gruber was referring to Itzik Rochberger, who served 10 years in the position and retired following an indictment filed against him on corruption charges. Rochberger was even convicted in court but is now running again after the period of disgrace has ended.
Grover wrote in the post: "Dear residents of mine, it is time for me to take on new challenges. I thank the many who voted for me time and time again. I have worked hard to justify your trust. It was an amazing experience and a dream come true to be the mayor of the city where I grew up and lived all my life. I treated the role with reverence. Every morning I woke up with the joy of doing for you, dear residents out of true love for the city. The role of mayor is a great responsibility and should be treated as a mission. I feel that at this point this chapter in my public mission is over."
Former Mayor of Ramat Hasharon, Rochberger, Photo: Yehoshua Yosef
Gruber added: "I leave to you our beloved city in excellent condition. We rehabilitated the city's economy. We increased revenue and expenses. The master plan we passed keeps the center of the colony as low as possible with green strips around the old city to ensure that our children will also enjoy urban currency. The education system is the best in Israel, and the industrial zone we developed in Glilot North will ensure an economic future for the city. We are a leader in optimal aging and climate protection programs. Culture in Ramat Hasharon has never thrived more with galleries and an art complex. The city is more pluralistic than ever, inclusive and accepting of everyone. I'm very proud of what I've done. There will still be time to summarize and conclude."
At the end of his remarks, he referred to the candidates to replace him, including Rochberger: "My successor will lead the city to its centennial year and will inherit from me a full basket of future plans that are in various stages of advancement, and I hope that they will all be realized. I sincerely hope for the sake of the city that a corrupt and evil man with disgrace in his past will not serve as mayor. Therefore, I wish complete success to the contestants who have no disgrace in their past."
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