SANTA PAULA : City Council Will Pick Mayor Tonight

One of newly elected Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa’s first official acts will be to cast the deciding vote for mayor of Santa Paula.

Moments after Espinosa and Councilman-elect Don Johnson are sworn in tonight, the council is scheduled to choose the city’s mayor for the next year. The council appears to be split 2 to 2 between Mayor Pro Tem Robin Sullivan or Councilman John Melton.

Espinosa’s is the fifth vote. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” she said.

Sullivan, who has been on the council two years, said she should be appointed mayor because she served as mayor pro tem this year; “it’s kind of a natural.” Johnson said he will vote for her.

Eight of the last 12 Santa Paula mayors served as mayor pro tem immediately before their appointments.

But Councilman Alfonso Urias said he will forgo tradition and nominate Melton. Urias unsuccessfully nominated Melton last year.

“We have the same political stances,” Urias said. Melton, who served as mayor in 1986-87 and 1991, could not be reached for comment.

Tonight’s meeting has been moved to the Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St. The heating system in the City Council chambers releases carbon monoxide when it is used and is awaiting repairs, City Administrator Arnold Dowdy said.