Dan Dillman To Face Ursula Reed For City Council

Dan Dillman, the outspoken owner of the Bal Theatre, has entered the city council race and will face incumbent Councilwoman Ursula Reed in November.

Dillman filed paperwork this week to become a candidate in the city's second council district on the southeast flank of San Leandro.

"It's time for a change," Dillman said.

Reed has not yet officially declared her candidacy but is expected to seek reelection.

Dillman is a friend and ally of Chris Crow, who had initially .

Instead, Crow moved to the fourth district on the southwest side of San Leandro and became a candidate for the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Joyce Starosciak, who is moving out of town.

As owner of the Bal, Dillman has and over holding live events and serving liquor.

A jury recently of cussing out two Alameda County Sheriff's officials. He is appealing that conviction and the four month jail sentence that came with it.

But the cussing incident was a misdemeanor so even if Dillman fails to reverse the verdict, he is still eligible to be a candidate for public office. 

Dillman said Friday night that he had "suffered injustice" at the hands of the system and that was among his motivations for running.

He said he and Crow were kindred spirits but not a slate.

Crow is . Heron Bay neighborhood leader Benny Lee is expected to formally enter the race soon.

Councilman Jim Prola, who represents the sixth district, is also up for re-election in November. He has said he will run but has not filed the papers. As yet he is unopposed.

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