Shapiro gets Calabasas pro tem nod over Martin

Next in line for mayor became a hot button issue in the city



David Shapiro

David Shapiro

Despite appeals from the public in support of Lucy Martin, the Calabasas City Council appointed David Shapiro as the city’s new mayor pro tem.

The decision followed more than an hour of public testimony in a packed council chamber on April 10.

On March 27, four council members tabled the expected appointment of Martin as the city’s mayor pro tem. The pro tem is next in line for mayor. Following custom, it was Martin’s turn for the post.

But Martin had supported challenger Jody Thomas in the March election.

Councilmember James Bozajian said he was reluctant to endorse Martin because he had “serious misgivings” about her involvement in the acrimonious campaign.

“Councilmember Martin is free to say and do anything she wants during an election cycle . . . but she should not expect that having conducted herself in such a manner that I would then turn around and cede her the mayorship,” Bozajian said.

Mayor Fred Gaines said he had qualms about Martin’s readiness to lead the city.

The mayor said that during one meeting, members of the audience were texting and passing notes to the council member. He also alleged there were breaches of closed session confidentially and issues about the way she dealt with city staff.

Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer, who nominated Shapiro for the pro tem position, offered praise for Martin and attempted to mend the City Council spat.

“But no matter how unpopular, I will do what I think is in the best interest of the city,” Maurer said.

Before the vote, Martin asked her colleagues to reconsider their decision.

“Tonight you can choose to divide and inflame, or you can choose to heal,” she said.

Martin said City Council members must ask tough questions when they are warranted. She said to label the process “polarizing” is “not credible.”

“Just because someone sees an issue differently than you doesn’t mean they don’t understand it,” Martin said.

“The council is no place to exact political revenge,” she said. “I have served all the residents of Calabasas honorably, with dedication, professionalism and competence, and it is my turn.”

Some residents admonished the council majority for treatment of their colleague.

“It’s a disgrace and disrespectful to us who voted her in on the council,” Gery Berger said.

“Where there is divisiveness it reflects on all of us and makes everyone apprehensive,” Suzy Gallant said.

Richard Thompson said Martin is a fair, kind and hardworking person who deserves her turn at the helm of the city.

“Political retribution is an ugly thing. The office of mayor and mayor pro tem should not be a political football,” Linda Stock said.

But others commended the city leaders for making a difficult choice.

“The council must cooperate and be able to compromise,” former Councilmember Karyn Foley said.

“There is a lesson for all of us,” former City Council candidate Martha Fritz said.

At the end of the meeting, Councilmember David Shapiro took the oath of office as the new mayor pro tem. He, and not Martin, will be the mayor in 2014.


Lucy Martin

Lucy Martin

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