Hunter Takes Over as New Mayor of Moorpark

Patrick Hunter became the second elected mayor in Moorpark history Wednesday night as outgoing Mayor Paul Lawrason stepped from the City Council dais into retirement.

Chris Evans and Debbie Rodgers Teasley also took their seats as the City Council’s newest members.

And former Councilwoman Eloise Brown, who lost her reelection bid in November, will resume her familiar spot in the council chamber audience, from where she often lobbed criticism of the council before winning a special election last March.

The changing of the guard on the council brought two new voices, both grounded in the business community. It elevated to the mayor’s chair a councilman who is praised by some slow-growth advocates for his moderate approach to development issues. And it marked the end of Lawrason’s eight-year career in Moorpark politics.

Facing a standing-room-only crowd of friends, Lawrason, 68, thanked fellow council members, city staff and friends. Acting on a citywide vote, Moorpark switched to a system of electing its mayor in 1990.

Lawrason, who was appointed mayor in 1989 and elected by voters the following year, said the reorganized council would inherit a city on firm financial ground. But he warned that the panel faces difficult issues ranging from traffic problems to the potential for dramatic growth.

“What’s in the future is a terrific challenge for this group,” he said.

Lawrason and his wife, Connie, are planning to leave Moorpark in January and settle into a new home in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Grass Valley.

Hunter, 35, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department sergeant first elected to the council in 1992, said during a break in the meeting that Lawrason would be missed. “I believe the community has a lot to be thankful for, for his service,” he said.

Hunter also said he was eager to get to work with his new colleagues.

“There’s been a significant change in the council, and that’s exciting.”

Hunter’s four-year council seat was up for reelection last month, but the one-term councilman chose to stake his hopes on winning the two-year mayoral post instead. He ran against three opponents, including Councilman Bernardo Perez, whose seat comes up for reelection in 1998.

Evans, who runs a bridal expo business, and Teasley, a local real estate agent, said they were ready for the challenge Lawrason described.

“I’m honored that the voters have given me the opportunity to be a part of this team of dedicated people,” Evans said. “Tonight I’m reminded of the saying: ‘Be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it.’ ”

Teasley told the audience that she was dedicated to serving Moorpark.

“My life is here, my investment is wholehearted,” she said.

For her part, Brown cautioned new and old council members that she would continue keeping tabs on city actions. Brown first served on the council from 1986 to 1990, and before her return in March, she became a fixture in the council chamber audience.

“My interest in council actions will not end when I leave this seat,” she said. “I will continue to be the voice of loyal opposition.”

Once seated, the reorganized council selected Perez as the new mayor pro tem, replacing John Wozniak. The title is largely ceremonial, although the mayor pro tem leads meetings when the mayor is absent.