The voters elected John the San Gabriel City Council in March of 2011. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School. John has over twenty-three years of legal experience specializing in complex financial transactions, municipal law, and public works construction. In addition to being admitted to the California State Bar, he holds a real estate broker’s license and a general contractor’s license.
John graduated from Saint Francis High School in La Canada-Flintridge and has maintained a strong bond with his Alma Mater. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications California State University Northridge.
John and his wife Sonia have two daughters that attend San Gabriel Unified Schools and one I college. The Harrington’s value our strong school system and the great family venues in our city. John has been actively involved in many community organizations. He has coached his daughters in PONY baseball, AYSO soccer, and in the San Gabriel Girls Fast Pitch Softball League.
John is committed to expanding family venues and experiences through community events. He has focused efforts on developing and funding the activities that make living in San Gabriel a memorable experience.
Being a business-friendly city is of utmost importance. He has devoted countless hours to attract quality businesses to Gabriel. His top priority is to enable the community to pursue additional family-oriented companies and increase quality venues aggressively.
In 2005 along with Eloy Zarate, Senya Lubisich, and Eric Kirchhoff, John helped found the Friends of La Laguna. This non-profit organization was necessary to prevent the City from demolishing the (now) historic La Laguna playground in Vincent Lugo Park. This event marked the beginning of John’s political involvement in San Gabriel. He has championed San Gabriel’s place in history. Along with a strong effort from staff, he helped usher in San Gabriel’s award-winning Historic Preservation Ordinance.
John is also the former Vice-Chair of the San Gabriel Unified School District Facilities Oversight Committee. The School Board appointed John to this Committee because of his expertise in school construction and development. He accepted this nomination because he believes that our schools are vital to the success of our community.
Active involvement in many issues that directly affect both the City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Unified School District is essential to John. He understands the economic value that development can bring to a community while respecting the past, and believes that all development must be responsible and respectful to the community.
Actively bringing the community’s voice and representing their opinion to the elected bodies of the region is vital to John. For example, he serves the San Gabriel Valley on the Metro Service Council, bringing transportation issues to the forefront. He has spearheaded issues such as increased paving, reducing massage parlors, lowering taxes, preventing mansionization of homes, securing affordable housing and making the city more responsive and accountable to the residents.
