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Harvey Hall, ex-mayor known as 'Mr. Bakersfield,' dies at 77
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By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 6 years ago on
May 21, 2018

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BAKERSFIELD — Harvey Hall, who served four terms as mayor of Bakersfield, and founded a namesake ambulance company that serves the majority of the surrounding county, has died. He was 77.
Hall Ambulance Service said its founder died Saturday after being treated for what the firm called a “rapidly progressing disease.” He had become ill in mid-April.

Hall Served as Mayor 2001-16

Hall was the 25th mayor of Bakersfield from 2001 through 2016, making him the city’s longest-serving chief executive. He decided not to seek a fifth term.
His successor, Mayor Karen Goh, called him “an outstanding community leader and a beloved friend.”
“He gave his heart, time and resources to our city,” Goh said.
The Bakersfield Californian referred to Hall as “Mr. Bakersfield.” Among his highest priorities as mayor were city beautification projects, combating homelessness, fostering sister-city relationships and inspiring the city’s youth, the newspaper said.

UFW President Praises Hall

Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United Farms Workers Association, said in a statement: We in the farm worker movement learned over the years that courage is not about doing what comes easily; it is doing what comes hard. By that measure, former Mayor Harvey Hall was a courageous public servant.”
Hall’s death comes just weeks after he had stepped down as president of Hall Ambulance, which he founded in 1971 out of his house. It now has 470 employees serving nearly all of Kern County and is one of the largest privately owned ambulance companies in the state.
Hall spent most of his life in California’s Central Valley. He grew up in Bakersfield and graduated from Bakersfield High School. He attended Bakersfield College and San Francisco City College.
In addition to his wife, Lavonne, Hall is survived by a daughter, Amy, and a grandchild, Skyler.
Plans are being made for a community celebration in honor of Hall’s life, according to the Californian.

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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