City will fill council vacancy
GRAND TERRACE: A councilwoman wants voters to decide, not leave it to an appointment.10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Grand Terrace City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday night to appoint a fifth council member rather than call a special election.
Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia cast the lone dissenting vote, saying she wants voters to decide who will serve the two years remaining in the vacancy.
The vacancy opened when Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz won election Nov. 2 as the city's new mayor. He replaced Maryetta Ferre, who did not seek re-election.
The decision came after nearly two hours of debate over how to fill the seat and what process the council will follow when it interviews candidates.
Thirteen residents commented, with some calling for the council to appoint Sylvia Robles, who lost a seat to former Planning Commissioner Darcy McNaboe by 50 votes in the November election.
Others, including the council majority, contended that the city's budget is too tight to spend at least $31,000, and as much as $50,000, on an election.
The council opted to give candidates until Jan. 4 to apply for the vacancy and to interview them at a Jan. 11 council meeting.
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-8484 or dsantschi@PE.com
