Diamond Bar : Werner Chosen as Mayor

In an unexpected show of unity, the City Council selected a new mayor and mayor pro tem Tuesday night.

Gary Werner, who won a second council term on April 10, was unanimously chosen mayor. John Forbing, also reelected, was chosen mayor pro tem. Both are one-year, largely ceremonial positions.

The swift action reflected an apparent change of heart for former Mayor Phyllis Papen, who nominated Werner, and Councilman Paul Horcher, both of whom had said they wanted to be mayor. Papen said she was unsure whether she had enough support to be reelected mayor and Horcher said he had decided not to try for the post.

Also during Tuesday night’s meeting, new Councilman Jay Kim was sworn in.