Sullivan Elected Mayor by Colleagues

Second-term City Councilwoman Robin Sullivan was unanimously elected Santa Paula mayor by her fellow council members.

Sullivan succeeds Councilman John Melton in the largely honorary post.

In addition, Councilman Don Johnson on Monday night replaced Laura Flores Espinosa as mayor pro tem.

As mayor pro tem--the council member who acts as mayor in that official’s absence--Espinosa was in line to assume the mayoral post this year.

However, she pointed out that it is not unprecedented in Santa Paula for the mayor pro tem not to automatically become the city’s top elected official.

Sullivan, for instance, did not become the mayor two years ago after serving as mayor pro tem, Espinosa said.

“It’s not a big disappointment,” she said. “My focus has been on serving the community and that’s going to continue regardless who is mayor.”

Espinosa refrained from characterizing the move as one that foreshadows continued division on the council in coming months. In fact, Espinosa said she believes the new council will work well together.

Jim Garfield beat out veteran Al Urias for a seat on the five-member panel in November. Sullivan also won election to her second term.