Column: Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Replacement for late councilman’s seat should have been chosen by voters, not council

A couple of weeks ago, I was enjoying the Pat Benatar tribute at Music in the Park. I’ve always been a fan of hers; she’s a rocker, fearless, and when she sings, she tears it up. Pat Benatar is a home girl; she’s from Brooklyn. Would you believe her roots are in opera?

So, I’m sitting with a bunch of friends, waiting for the cover of Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” Being the multitasker I am, I’m eyeballing the last chocolate chip cookie and having this strange feeling that someone would beat me to it.

The conversation turns toward local politics. The overwhelming consensus among the adults present was that the La Cañada Flintridge City Council would appoint Greg Brown to fill the seat left by the unexpected loss of Dave Spence, who passed away in May. My friends believed the council would not reach outside the box to select one of the exceptional and diverse candidates from an initial pool of 16 (later dropped to 15, when one bowed out).

The conversation continued, and it was noted that council members assured their constituents and those who had thrown their hats in the ring that their choice would not be a foregone conclusion, but they would seat a candidate who could best hit the ground running. With such a rationale it was obvious to me that it was, despite any suggestions to the contrary, a foregone conclusion that Brown, a former member of the City Council, would be appointed to the seat.

I have nothing against Brown, and I am convinced that he will do right for the city. I voted for the guy when he ran for the office before. I wish him the best of luck. Also, I have nothing but esteem for our City Council. Our leadership in City Hall is just one reason why La Cañada is a great town. However, a different opinion regarding the status quo is healthy for any system of governing. My perspective is just another way to skin a cat.

I can understand the rationale of hitting the ground running, but how does one even define that premise? And if you can define it, how do you then quantify it? I appreciate their position regarding a learning curve, but the business of government is everyone’s responsibility and being up to speed should not be exclusive. Is the business of the City Council so complex and convoluted that it then becomes imperative to select a candidate predominately by experience?

I understand that the many candidates possessed a plethora of experience, albeit in different modalities. Their perspectives would bring a different and new way of looking at an issue. Maybe that’s what’s needed throughout all levels of government — new eyes. The experience and expertise of the council members (those who appointed Brown) are more than adequate. We had an opportunity to find an emerging leader. You have to develop talent to assure a posture. Excuse the baseball metaphor, but maybe we need a “rookie of the year.”

Even though it would have cost the city about $78,000 to run an election, we should have done that instead of simply appointing Spence’s replacement. Democracy is expensive, and we should have paid the price to assure the will of the people. Abraham Lincoln said, “Elections belong to the people …”

Regardless of one’s political persuasion, the debate regarding “term limits” tips in its favor. A precedent for term limits was set when George Washington refused a third term as president. Washington’s legacy is not founded on his soldiering; he lost most of his battles. But walking away from the presidency assured his immortality. Because of his ability to walk away from power, King George cited Washington as “the greatest man in the world.”

When Brown retired from the City Council in 2011 he mentioned he was making room for “new blood.” New Ideas! An insurgence of energy! Change!

He had the right idea. I hope that when the next City Council election rolls around we’ll have as much interest among relative newcomers as we did for this single opening.

JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us.