Westlake City Council rejects Bruno as mayor

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers IN AND OUT—Sue McSweeney, above middle, is sworn in as mayor. Jim Bruno, below, was next in line, but was passed over. Abandoning a longstanding tradition, the Westlake Village City Council passed over Mayor Pro Tem Jim Bruno and instead retained incumbent Sue McSweeney for a second oneyear term as mayor of the city. Councilmember Philippa Klessig was appointed to replace Bruno as mayor pro tem.

Last month, residents rejected the Measure Z initiative for a Lowe’s home improvement store. The proposal divided both the City Council and the community.

Klessig and Councilmembers Mark Rutherford and Bob Slavin supported the development; McSweeney and Bruno did not. During the campaign, Bruno was the most outspoken opponent as walked the neighborhoods and talked to residents. The move against Bruno angered many of his supporters.

“This really is an outrage for the majority of people who voted against Measure Z,” said Westlake resident Barbara Erickson. “There can be no question that’s the reason they are punishing Jim Bruno.”

“Jim Bruno really cares. He was the only council member who represented the people and who did his job,” resident Ayla Nejad said. “He didn’t do anything wrong or corrupt.”

Klessig was the first council member to speak about the issue during last week’s meeting, nominating McSweeney for her “knowledge and integrity and for continuity and balance on the council.

“As we can see there is a lack of unity in the city and on the council,” Klessig said.

Slavin called McSweeney a “team builder, trustworthy, accessible, able to work well with fellow council members, and able to listen.

“Following tradition is clearly the honorable thing to do but it should not get in the way of doing the right thing,” Slavin said. “Sue can heal the wounds of the city.”

Although upset at being passed over, Bruno said he accepted the council decision and was “comfortable” with McSweeney’s reappointment.

“This is pretty awkward,” McSweeney said. Even though McSweeney voted against Lowe’s, other council members saw her as a less divisive force than Bruno.

But the majority of speakers at the meeting urged the council to appoint Bruno in accordance with a tradition that says the mayor pro tem should become mayor.

“Jim Bruno has character, courage and a great deal of strength,” Carol Kirschbaum said. “He was mayor pro tem and I think he deserves to continue as mayor.”

But some spoke out against Bruno.

“In my opinion Mr. Bruno has not earned the right to be mayor,” Thelma Ploesch said.

Ned Davis urged the council to delay choosing a new mayor.

“I think we need to wait. It’s going to take more time than this week to heal,” Davis said.

After the vote, many of the audience members left the council chambers and lingered outside. Three police officers followed, standing guard at the door.

“It was suggested that we show up . . . to keep the peace,” said Sgt. Michael White.

“I’m ashamed to have these people represent us,” Ray Kirschbaum said of the council members who voted not to appoint Bruno. “This is disgusting and small-minded.”

Bruno said that early in the meeting he sensed the action the council was about to take. “Regardless of what happens tonight, this is a year I will cherish,” he said.

Klessig denied that Bruno’s stand on Measure Z was the only reason she opposed him as mayor.

“What we look for in leaders, especially after a crisis, is team building, commitment, a calm person and someone who is really well-liked,” Klessig said. “ M a y o r McSweeney fits that.”

S h e compared the council’s action to sibling rivalry and said she realized that some residents were upset with the decision.

“Some in the community will hold a grudge, most won’t,” Klessig said. “I don’t think it will be a long-term problem. You move on and focus on what’s important.”