Details of election, candidacy process to be disclosed at Feb. 13 meeting for mail-in-only vote in August
After failing to agree on the appointment of a candidate to its District 4 vacant seat at its previous meeting, the Buellton City Council decided at its Jan. 23 meeting to hold a special election to fill the seat.
Carla Mead, a self-employed math tutor and wine ambassador for Rideau Winery who has served on multiple local boards and volunteer organizations, had expressed her interest in the seat early on and had met with the members of the current City Council, and stated her case at the Jan. 9 meeting. However, former Mayor Dave King, who had lost his reelection bid to David Silva (which created the District 4 vacancy) then expressed his interest in the vacancy. The councilmembers then deadlocked on the candidates, with Silva and Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis supporting Mead, and City Councilmembers Hudson Hornick and John Sanchez backing King.
Back to the Jan. 23 meeting, when council opened the item on considering appointment to the District 4 seat, Mead opened public comment by again stating her case to fill the position. However, with the talk the previous meeting of Mead being the desired “new blood” or “new voice” for the council, she made an effort to bridge any gap with the established council.
“While I generally embrace change as a positive force, I firmly believe that change should be purposeful and not done simply for its own sake,” Mead began. “When status quo goes unchallenged, things can get stagnant; however, that does not mean our existing methods and initiatives lack merit.”
Mead then went on to state her support to proposals brought by the previous council, of which King was a part, like the 100 trees initiative, safety measures along Highway 246. She also said she would support the idea of a newsletter, which Hudson has proposed.
Mead said one of her goals if she was on council would be to establish an economic development board (which she pointed out Hornick had suggested) and expanding community outreach with new commissions and boards that could encourage more people to get involved.
“With my experience, dedication, and collaborative approach, I’m confident I can contribute to the city’s growth and success,” Mead said in closing.
The remaining speakers in public comment, included those stating support for Mead (some of whom acknowledged King’s achievements on the council), but also some coming out for King, citing his experience (King did not speak on his behalf during this meeting).
One speaker stated his desire for the seat to be decided by an election, while others took the council to task for its heated debate in the previous meeting.
Also, one speaker familiar with Buellton city politics appeared to throw her hat in the ring: Victoria Pointer, who served on the City Council for the first 18 years of Buellton’s cityhood and was a former mayor herself, expressed her interest in the seat and disappointment in the previous meeting’s rancor.
“I’d like to throw in my name after hearing all the discourse two weeks ago,” Pointer said. “Personalities seem to get in the way of doing business. If I could help bridge any gaps, I’m here for you.”
When discussion returned back to council, Hornick asked City Manager Scott Wolfe what the costs of a special mail-in election for August, to avoid having to wait for November to fill the District 4 seat. Wolfe said City Clerk Linda Reid told him that it would be $30,000 to $35,000.
“To clarify, I think the only fair way [to fill the vacancy] is an election,” Hornick said. “I still maintain King is most qualified, and 1,200 people voted for him [in the last mayoral election]. I think we can put on our big-boy pants and hash this out.”
However, Silva (who was participating in the meeting remotely from Sacramento) still maintained that Mead was getting the most support from District 4 residents.
“I want to make sure the will of D4 reflected as much as possible,” he said. “Overwhelmingly, District 4 supports Mead; if we want to get people involved we need to recognize support.” Hornick replied that although he felt the support for Mead was impressive, email support was not the same as votes.
When Lewis spoke, however, she came out more open to an election than she was two weeks earlier.
“Last meeting, felt like we would be successful. Since then, I’ve received flood of emails. Still at the point I favor a special election despite the cost,” she said. “I feel we’re hearing from D4 and not listening. If there is an election, there’s no question.
“The council having a special election would temper passion and feelings, and make it feel transparent. Keep our working relationships intact, give the new person the right start.”
When Sanchez spoke, he brought up the subject of district votes and wondering if anyone really knows who District 4 supports, and brought that no one know how many in District 4 voted for Silva and King in the mayoral election.
Things got contentious between Silva and Sanchez again, when Silva reiterated his view that any votes in District 1-3 aren’t relevant for a District 4 rep, and Sanchez then took Silva to task for his mayoral bid.
“The reason we’re having to do this is because you didn’t finish your four-year term [in District 4],” Sanchez said.
When Lewis asked to keep things civil, Silva answered back to Sanchez, “I appreciate your feedback, and appreciate your No. 1 goal seems to be to mitigate an election result you disagree with.”
At that point, Hornick stated it would be “prudent” to agree to the special election in August, and made the motion for it, with Lewis seconding. Motion passed 3-1, with Silva dissenting.
Wolfe said a resolution would be brought at the next meeting on Feb. 13 that a special election for the District 4 vacancy would be Aug. 5, and would be mail-in only.
