Council Rejects Idea for Filling Vacancy
The City Council has shot down an idea to avoid a costly special election if one of its current members is elected mayor by appointing the runner-up in the council race to the vacant seat.
On the advice of the city attorney, Moorpark Mayor Paul Lawrason and council members John Wozniak and Pat Hunter voted against the measure during the meeting Wednesday.
The proposal to appoint the runner-up was brought by Councilwoman Eloise Brown, who said it could save $15,000 to $25,000. Brown was elected during a special election in March to fill the term of former Councilman Scott Montgomery.
Three seats on the council will be up for grabs in November, including Lawrason’s. Lawrason is retiring and two council members, Bernardo Perez and Hunter, are planning to run for the mayoral post.
Although Hunter’s term expires this year, Perez’s term does not end until 1998.
If Perez is elected mayor, the city would have to schedule a special election to fill his post.
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