Calabasas City Council reorganizes with Bozajian, Maurer in charge
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

CITY LEADERS- From left, the 2007-2008 Calabasas City Council consists of Barry Groveman, Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Maurer, Mayor James Bozajian, Dennis Washburn and Jon Wolfson.

Although the Calabasas City Council looks the same, several changes were made at last week's meeting when Dennis Washburn and Barry Groveman were sworn in for another term.

"It's rewarding to me after sort of an aggressive election that we got a real mandate, that we obviously are doing what the people of this city want us to do, and I look forward to continuing to do that effectively for the next four years," said Groveman, who was elected to a second term in the March 6 City Council election.

"We have a good city. We are lucky. We are living in a remarkable place at a remarkable time and I'll do my best, with my colleagues, to keep it that way," Groveman said.

Also reelected and sworn in for another term was Dennis Washburn, who stepped down as mayor.

Before handing over the gavel, Washburn received awards from the Chamber of Commerce, the Las Virgenes Unified School District and its board of education.

At the council reorganization, former Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian was named mayor, with Mary Sue Maurer taking the mayor pro tem title. It's Bozajian's 10th year on the council and third term as mayor.

"I still have the energy and enthusiasm for this job that I did from the first day I took office," Bozajian said. "I've definitely grown older up here, and I hope I've grown wiser over the years. I wanted to assure you that not a day goes by that I don't count myself a lucky man for being in the position I'm in. . . . I will not let you down."

Cynthia Scott was on hand to represent county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl and Assemblymember Julia Brownley.

"You are always a friendly face, and a gentleman and a scholar," Scott said. "You are the face of Calabasas to me, and to say you are the most respected and most gracious founding father of this city, I think those here would be in agreement. "You are looking a little grayer than in the picture on the website. I guess years of service will do that to one."

Bozajian pointed out that Washburn is the only original City Council member still serving on a council in any of the 88 cities of Los Angeles County.

Groveman made the motion to name Bozajian mayor and Maurer mayor pro tem, and those in the packed chambers saw a big smile spread across Maurer's face.

Judge Steven Fuller administered the oath of office to both Bozajian and Maurer. Fuller and Bozajian attended law school together at the University of Southern California.

"While I've followed James' accomplishments both personally and professionally, and they are truly remarkable, knowing him for 20 years I can say that his greatest qualities are his character, his integrity and his genuineness toward people," Fuller said.