SAN CLEMENTE : Council Hands the Gavel to Diehl
Councilman Scott Diehl was unanimously elected mayor Wednesday at City Hall.
Diehl, 40, a local veterinarian, was elected to a four-year council term in 1988 and previously served a four-year from 1982 to 1986. His mayoral term is for one year.
Returning Councilman Thomas Lorch and two new council members also took office at inaugural ceremonies Wednesday.
Lorch, a retired aerospace engineer, returned for his second, consecutive four-year term on the council.
Also sworn-in on Wednesday were Councilman Joseph Anderson, 48, a businessman and the top vote-getter in the Nov. 6 election, and Councilman Truman Benedict, 67, a retired teacher and former superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District. Anderson also was named mayor pro tem.
Outgoing Mayor Candace Haggard, a county librarian, has two years remaining in her council term. Outgoing Councilman Brian J. Rice, 43, failed to win reelection, and outgoing Councilwoman Holly Veale chose not to seek reelection.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
