McMahan to Move to Piru, Quit Council

Mayor Pro Tem Michael McMahan announced that he will abandon his seat on the City Council so he can move to neighboring Piru.

McMahan, 43, said he and his wife inherited property and are moving as soon as their home closes escrow.

He made his resignation official at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The midterm resignation--effective at the end of this month--gives Fillmore officials two options: operate a four-person council or appoint a replacement. An appointee would have to run for the seat during the November election to remain on the council.

Whether the council appoints a fill-in or leaves the seat open, changing the ethnic makeup of the City Council could be a consideration.

Neighboring Santa Paula has been sued by the federal government over its at-large election system, which the lawsuit contends results in inadequate minority representation on the City Council.

If a judge agrees with federal lawyers, Santa Paula would be split into five districts, two of which would encompass Latino majorities. Voters from each district would elect one council member.

According to 1990 census figures, about half of Fillmore’s population is Latino. Of Fillmore’s City Council members, only Mayor Evaristo Barajas is Latino.

Barajas sees the vacancy as a way of enticing Latino leaders into public service, and he hopes one will step forward to seek the appointment.

Fillmore Councilman Roger Campbell said candidates will be judged solely on ability and willingness to serve.

“We would not appoint someone based on their race, sex or skin color,” he said.