City Council: Filling Kuykendall’s Vacant Seat
When the city of Rancho Palos Verdes asked for volunteers to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Steven T. Kuykendall, who resigned to take a seat in the state Assembly, 14 citizens responded, two of whom are former council members. Four others are on the Planning Commission. However, after watching the last two council meetings, it appears that 13 of us need not have bothered to apply. Susan Brooks and Marilyn Lyon had obviously made up their minds ahead of time. Only Kim Wang would do. Both Brooks and Lyon talked of compromise. However, neither seemed to understand the definition of the words “consider an alternative.”
Mayor Lee Byrd and Councilman John C. McTaggert both offered to consider five or six other candidates. But Brooks and Lyon refused to consider 13 alternatives.
Now the city, according to state law, must hold a special election in June costing the city thousands of dollars. The only alternative Lyon would consider was to break the law and not have an election.
So now the city of Rancho Palos Verdes must spend $50,000 to $70,000 for a special election in June to fill a vacancy for six months. Why?
BARBARA FERRARO
Rancho Palos Verdes
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