Maurer sworn in as Calabasas mayor
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

JOE BINOYA/Acorn Newspapers OATH- Mary Sue Maurer is sworn in as the new mayor of Calabasas by Los Angeles City Councilmember Wendy Gruehl.

Calabasas has a new mayor, and she said she's looking forward to running the show.

At last week's City Council reorganization meeting, Mary Sue Maurer officially took the spot formerly held by James Bozajian.

"I'm going to really enjoy this, to decide who talks when and for how long," Maurer told her colleagues with a laugh. "I really appreciate your vote of confidence, and I really hope I exceed all your expectations.

Councilmember Barry Groveman nominated Maurer for mayor and Jonathon Wolfson for mayor pro tem. The council unanimously agreed.

Visiting Los Angeles City Councilmember Wendy Greuel swore in Maurer, who was elected to the council in 2005.

Maurer said her No. 1 priority over the next year will be to oversee the July opening of the new Calabasas Civic Center. She is also looking forward to hearing from a "green" task force to discuss emerging technologies that will enable Calabasas to continue its leadership on the environmental front.

Maurer said she and the council will be looking at new potential funding sources to save more open space and will consider adding an AM frequency radio station because of unreliable communications during fires.

Before stepping down as mayor, Bozajian thanked the residents of Calabasas.

"Thank you for entrusting me with the tremendous honor and responsibility of being allowed to serve on the City Council for the past 11 years and to complete three terms as your mayor," Bozajian said. "I have sought foremost this past year to achieve equity and balance, that is to be a fair, impartial and effective leader without compromising my principles. I can only hope that I will be remembered for living up to this ideal."

Alex Soteras, director of the United Chambers of Commerce in the San Fernando Valley, honored Bozajian for his work.

"A lot of attention the city gets is for bringing in all the stakeholders when making a decision," Soteras said. "And Mayor Bozajian, I don't know of any local official in the last 10 years who does that better than you. You attend all the homeowners' board meetings. . . . That kind of dedication is really a tribute to you. You listen to residents; you get the city together, and you've been a model council member for other councils in the whole area."

Wolfson also had kind words for Bozajian.

"If your goal was to be fair and impartial, you met your goal," Wolfson said. "I think we had a great year, and I really appreciated your leadership and your friendship. I know you always have the best interests of the citizens of Calabasas at heart, and that's what made you a great mayor and a great council member."

Bozajian received recognition from the offices of Assemblymember Julia Brownley, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl and L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, as well as the Las Virgenes Unified School District and the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce.

Other attendees included Louis Masry of the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Chamber of Commerce, Carol Washburn and Doug Ridley of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, and former City Council members Bob Hill, Marvin Lopata and Karyn Foley.