COUNCIL TO APPOINT REPLACEMENT

From this morning’s paper (West County Times) :

San Pablo Council chooses appointment over election to replace ailing councilman

By Tom Lochner
Contra Costa Times

mercurynews.com

Posted:   03/20/2012 02:02:45 PM PDT

March 21, 2012 4:18 AM GMT Updated:   03/20/2012 09:18:20 PM PDT

 

The San Pablo City Council this week chose appointment over election to fill a council vacancy created by the resignation of Arturo Cruz, whose term ends in December.

Under the state Election Code, it was too late to get an election onto the June 5 ballot. In view of the greater cost of a special election, and the shortness of Cruz’s remaining council term, a staff report recommended appointing someone to serve out the last seven months.

The council agreed, by a 3-0 vote; Mayor Cecilia Valdez was absent after fracturing her shoulder last week, according to an announcement.

Applicants must be registered to vote in the city. Applications are available online at www.sanpabloca.gov and at San Pablo City Hall, 13831 San Pablo Ave. Completed applications must be in the City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. April 3.

The council will conduct interviews of qualified applicants in open session at a special meeting April 11. Immediately afterward, the council is expected to appoint Cruz’s replacement, who would be sworn in at the April 16 regular council meeting.

Cruz resigned March 1. In a letter to Valdez and City Clerk Ted Denney, Cruz announced he had recently undergone surgery for liver cancer and that although he was bouncing back, he needed to resign from the council to focus on his recovery for the sake of his family, including his young daughter. Last year, Cruz underwent cardiac surgery and suffered a stroke the

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following day.

On Tuesday, the council issued a proclamation to Cruz praising his service. Cruz thanked officials and the community for their support and prayers as a gallery of well-wishers gave him several standing ovations.

The council made Councilman Leonard McNeil the new vice mayor, the title that was held by Cruz.

Cruz, a longtime advocate for social justice, education, immigrant rights and young people, and a parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church, was serving his first term on the council. He has worked with numerous church and community organizations.