Anaheim Still Deadlocked on Filling Open Seat

Facing mounting pressure from all sides, the City Council on Tuesday once again deadlocked on choosing someone to fill a vacant seat on the panel.

During a sometimes contentious meeting, a steady stream of people demanded that the council make a selection and avoid the estimated $100,000 cost of a special election.

“I don’t understand why the four of you cannot agree on a person to fill the spot,” resident Jackie Dudeck said. “You need to move on with the business of the city instead of sitting here arguing.”

A smaller number of residents spoke in favor of placing the matter on the ballot to avoid behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Members of the interfaith Orange County Congregation Community Organization, or OCCCO, urged the council to appoint the third-place finisher in the Nov. 8 election, Shirley McCracken, to the vacant seat.

Earlier this year, that group successfully lobbied for $250,000 worth of after-school programs.

“We fought for five years to get that money,” OCCCO member Dianne Horn said before the meeting. “And they are going to spend $100,000 on an election? There’s something wrong with that.”

As he had done last week, Councilman Frank Feldhaus nominated McCracken again on Tuesday, a move that was supported by Mayor Tom Daly. But Councilman Lou Lopez, who has steadfastly maintained that a special election should be held, again voted against McCracken’s nomination.

Councilman Bob Zemel abstained and said that McCracken should not be appointed just by virtue of placing third. Zemel said the most qualified candidate might not have run in the election, although he has not endorsed anyone specifically.

“This process has been rushed, “ he said. “It has precluded other people from coming forward.”

The council will try again Jan. 10. If members cannot reach a consensus by Jan. 29, 60 days after the seat became vacant, a special election must be held.

The vacancy was created when Daly won the mayor’s seat.