Rookie Councilman Selected Mayor Over Veteran Colleagues

First-term Councilman Kevin Stapleton was selected by a majority of his colleagues to become mayor after two council veterans again were passed over for the position.

Stapleton was elected Monday in a 3-2 vote, garnering the support of Mayor Tom O’Leary and Councilman Walt Allen as well as himself. The same trio last year selected O’Leary to be mayor over council veterans John Wilcox and Chris Christensen.

Wilcox, first elected in 1993, said Christensen should have been the choice for the ceremonial post because Christensen has served on the council since 1993 and was the top vote-getter in the latest election.

In many cities, the position rotates among council members by seniority, even when political differences exist. But in Covina, political divisions have resulted in voting blocks on the council.