Local News in Brief : Westminster : Smith to Hold Mayor’s Job Until Council Acts

Westminster Mayor Pro Tem Charles V. Smith said Sunday that he would continue as acting mayor until the City Council chooses a successor to the city’s first elected mayor, Elden F. Gillespie, who died Saturday of a heart attack.

Smith, who has served as acting mayor since December, said it was uncertain when the council would act on the matter. Gillespie was elected mayor in November, 1986, and his term was to expire in November of this year.

Gillespie, 71, who had been ill for several months, was taken to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center on Saturday, where he died at 12:41 p.m.

The City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, but Councilwoman Joy L. Neugebauer, who previously served as acting mayor, said it would be inappropriate to discuss appointing a successor until after Gillespie’s funeral, which is scheduled Thursday.

The council has been functioning with four members since October, when Gillespie underwent treatment for cancer.

Under the city charter, day-to-day affairs are managed by the city administrator.

Gillespie is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and a daughter, Lynn. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Westminster. The family has asked that memorials be in the form of donations to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Westminster.