HUNTINGTON PARK : Seating of 1st Woman Mayor Is in Doubt

A few months ago, the buzz around City Hall was that the city would get its first female mayor when Rosario Marin, the mayor pro tem, ascended to the office as part of the traditional rotation of the post among council members.

But when the City Council reorganizes Monday, it is uncertain who will be chosen mayor for the following year. Some council members were coy about whom they will select--and at least one promised a surprise--at the 7 p.m. council meeting.

As in most area cities, the post of mayor and mayor pro tem, both ceremonial roles that afford the officeholder no special power, are rotated among council members each year based on a majority vote of members. For most of Huntington Park’s 89-year history, tradition dictated that the mayor pro tem spot led to the mayor’s seat.

“But tradition was thrown out the window,” said Mayor Ric Loya, who is ending his second term as mayor.

The mayor and council members Thomas E. Jackson and Jessica Maes said they preferred not to say if they were going to vote for Marin. They also declined to say why she no longer seemed a shoo-in. When pressed, Maes said, “you’ll be in for a nice surprise.”

The only public endorsement Marin has received is from Councilman Raul Perez, who said he has worked on several projects with the councilwoman since she was elected last year.

A year ago, Marin and Maes won seats on the City Council to become the city’s first female council members. Shortly after, Marin was chosen mayor pro tem. Said Marin: “I feel that I earned the privilege (of becoming mayor), but other people may not feel that way.