STANTON : Dotson Elected Mayor; Councilmen Take Oath

There’s been a changing of the guard in Stanton.

Harry Dotson was elected Stanton’s new mayor and Bill Estrada became the mayor pro tem at last week’s City Council meeting. At the same session, two new council members took the oath of office in a packed council chambers.

The new council faces a host of issues, including pressure to repeal a 6% utility tax, ridding Beach Boulevard of its seedy reputation and making sure that plans go forward for a new golf practice center and a business opportunity project.

David John Shawver, 47, a Long Beach wrestling coach and former council member, and Brian Donahue, 56, the director of instruction for the Regional Occupational Program in Whittier, officially assumed their new positions on the council. They replace one-termer Don Martinez and Linda Pappas Diaz, who served for a year.

“What a whirlwind it’s been, and I’m blinking, saying, ‘Did it all happen?’ Then I look at you, and I know it did,” said Pappas Diaz in a departing speech. “I’m so pleased to see you all here. Stanton is a small and mighty place, and it’s for you, the people, that I got involved.”

Martinez was equally emotional.

“I ask that you pray for the new council members,” he said. “Because once you become an elected official, it isn’t a career change, it’s a lifestyle.”

The council thanked Pappas Diaz and Martinez for their hard work, then welcomed Shawver and Donahue, both of whom delivered short speeches. Shawver promised to do his best to repeal the 6% utility tax the city adopted in March, 1993.

Donahue said he ran for the council seat because he wants to help the community.

When it was time to vote on who should be the city’s new mayor, Dotson, 68, a former planning commissioner, was immediately nominated.

City Clerk Darlene Cordova asked if anybody opposed the nomination.

“Just my wife,” quipped Dotson.