City council reorganizes in Westlake Village





By Lori Porter
porter@theacorn.com

The city of Westlake Village conducted a "changing of the guard" ceremony as the city council convened for its annual reorganization meeting on Dec.1. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Rutherford was appointed mayor and Councilmember Susan McSweeney was named as mayor pro tem.


Representatives from the offices of state Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the cities of Calabasas and Westlake Village, and the Thousand Oaks Regional Chamber of Commerce came to recognize Mayor Bob Slavin for his year of service. Slavin received several plaques and certificates and then made his outgoing comments.


Slavin said he was proud of the progress that’s been made in the city and he credited the entire council for the accomplishments made in the past year.


The city’s great financial shape, Slavin said, is the result of conscientious city councils of the past and the present.


"Westlake Village is a responsible local government. If the people want a meeting, they get a meeting. If they have issues to be discussed, they get discussed," he said.


He said his biggest accomplishment as mayor was the establishment of the 2015 Committee, which is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life that exists in Westlake Village.


Known by many as a "family man," Slavin turned to his wife, Lori, and two sons, Shawn and Niles, thanking them for supporting him as he spent extra hours serving the city. In addition, he thanked the people of Westlake Village for allowing him to be their mayor.


WLVCC members also got their turn to thank Slavin, referring to him as "an admirable representative of the city." Councilmembers Philippa Klessig and Jim Bruno, who just completed their first year, thanked Slavin for his support while they were learning the ropes. "It’s hard to start out as mayor with new council members. . . . It’s hard to bring everyone up to speed. You always do what is right, not just what is easy," said Klessig.


In quoting the teachings of Jesus, who said, "Every good tree bears good fruit," Bruno referred to Slavin as a man of integrity whose year as a mayor was fruitful. Bruno also quoted the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, who wrote in proverbs, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you, then you will win the favor of God and man." Bruno told Slavin he has done just that.


On behalf of the entire council, Bruno presented Slavin with a crystal fruit bowl inscribed with the proverb he had read.


Following the nominations and election, the Honorable Judge Lawrence Mira administered the oath of office to Rutherford and McSweeney.


As incoming mayor, Rutherford gave a brief talk, saying that for three reasons, he wasn’t going to give the expected "new mayor, new goals" speech. One, he tends to be brief, he said. Two, the city has an annual goals session in January and three, Rutherford said he felt the city already had a full plate and didn’t want to introduce any new goals. "We need to hunker down and put our energy into what we already have going on."



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