Interesting piece in last week's Desert Sun by Jesse Marx about the fact that the 3rd place finisher in the Palm Springs Council election could be promoted to the city council if incumbent member Ginny Foat was elected Mayor. Having been on the air covering the introduction of the ordinance that mandates this, I believe it made sense then and makes sense now.
After the defeat of Deyna Hodges back in 2001, Councilman Jim Jones resigned and asked that Ms. Hodges just take his seat. Mayor Will Kleindienst and Councilman Chris Mills were adamantly opposed and refused to allow this. On the other side, Ron Oden and Jeannie Reller-Spurgeon wanted Deyna back. After a few 2 2 votes, the city had to hold a special election and Deyna won overwhelmingly. It was a complete waste of money predicated on ego.
The new 3rd place ordinance went into effect shortly thereafter and low and behold, in the 2003 municipal elections, when Rod Oden was elected Mayor, a newbie was the 3rd place finisher in the council race behind Steve Pougnet and Mike McCullough. Her name was Ginny Foat. And that is how Ms. Foat originally got on the city council.
Now the same ordinance has been in place in DHS since 2005. To the best of my recollection, it was used only once in 2013 when Jan Pye went back on the city council after Adam Sanchez was elected Mayor.
All of the other city councils in the Valley now opt to appoint new members for vacancies. Despite people claiming the 3rd place option is undemocratic, this procedure is even worse. (Point of disclosure, I applied to fill a vacancy on the council in Cathedral City last fall. While I was treated well and the candidate chosen, John Aguilar is a fine man, the outcome was about as predictable as a pro wrestling match.)
I can understand those who call for automatic special elections but unless the city council's in the Valley give up the appointment option, then 3rd is good enough for me.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com
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