Filling That Vacancy in Huntington Beach

Susie Newman was a first-time candidate for the Huntington Beach City Council. As a political novice she entered the race full of ideals and with the belief that the final decision rested with the voters.

She was encouraged to run as a consensus candidate by many community leaders, including the late Jack Kelly and Councilwoman Linda Moulton-Patterson. These two individuals were polar opposites on many issues.

With three seats available, Susie finished fourth; 26,605 voters marked their ballot for Susie Newman.

Four days after the election, my longtime friend and Councilman Jack Kelly suffered a catastrophic stroke and died, creating a vacancy on the City Council. Never in the city’s history has a vacancy, either by death or resignation, occurred so close to an election.

The new City Council is faced with its first tough decision, which from my perspective isn’t too difficult at all. Who do they choose as the council member to replace Jack Kelly? I maintain that the electorate has already made the decision for them.

The new Huntington Beach City Council has devised a process to appoint a new council member. They will accept applications, spend four hours interviewing applicants behind closed doors, then a short 60 minutes later they will name the new council member.

This appointment isn’t about no-growth or pro-growth or whether someone “deserves” the appointment. Susie Newman had earned Jack Kelly’s seat by facing the electorate, the toughest interview panel in existence.

LELA ROBITAILLE

Huntington Beach