There was an eloquent and well thought-out argument by Council Member Ash Kalra. A substitute motion by Council Member Don Rocha to hold off on an appointment until January even drew the support of oft-opponent Council Member Pierluigi Oliverio. But Mayor-elect Sam Liccardo was determined to ram through his plans to appoint a campaign supporter as a temporary replacement for the vacant District 4 Council seat with almost no community outreach and little notice of his intention.
“The issue is process,” said Kalra, speaking in support of Rocha’s motion to delay an appointment until January, when the residents of District 4 have a chance to more fully consider a wider range of candidates. “This is not the kind of process that anybody should be proud of,” said Kalra, referring to Liccardo’s defiance of the democratic process of complying with Sunshine rules and government transparency.Mayor Chuck Reed and 5 other council members (Herrera, Nguyen, Khamis, Herrera and Liccardo) voted to continue the issue at a special meeting this Friday, Dec. 19th, with the intention of appointing former D4 Council member Margie Matthews to the post until August of 2015. (A special election is set for April 7, with a runoff June 23)
After community leaders and good government advocates raised objections to the one-day application window to be considered for appointment, the deadline was extended to Thursday, Dec. 18, giving interested prospects three more days. In addition Margie Matthews and David Hernandez, Robyn Shearin and Brando Erazo have also since applied. According to the City Clerk, one need only be a registered voter in District 4 to apply for temporary appointment to the council seat.
Tuesday’s council meeting was to be adjourned with a continuation on Friday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. to consider the appointment.
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