Paramount : Ex-Councilman Harkema Appointed to Fill Vacancy

Former Councilman Henry Harkema, who lost a reelection bid in April, was appointed Tuesday to fill the unexpired term of Vice Mayor Allen J. Parker, who died Dec. 7 of a heart attack.

Harkema was selected by the three Paramount City Council members who attended the meeting. Councilwoman Esther Caldwell was absent.

In April, Harkema finished fourth among seven candidates running for three seats. Harkema lost by 94 votes. Parker, who was serving his first term on the five-member council, received the largest number of votes, 1,103. His term runs through April, 1994. Parker, Mayor Manuel Guillen and Elvira Amaro won in the April election.

Harkema, 79, a Paramount resident for 55 years, was on the council from 1986 to 1989. The city rotates the mayoral position annually, and Harkema was mayor from 1988 to April, 1989.

He has been serving as chairman of the Planning Commission since his defeat. He resigned that position Tuesday to serve as a councilman.

Guillen said that Harkema should be appointed to fill the vacancy because of the number of votes he received in the last election. The other council members, Amaro and Gerald Mulrooney, agreed.

By state law the city had 30 days to appoint a replacement or call an election. City Manager William Holt told the council an election could not be held until June, 1991.