Mayor Survives Council Action

A failed attempt to remove Suza Francina from the mayor’s seat less than halfway through her one-year term has left some longtime City Hall watchers questioning whether the incident will harm the council’s reputation.

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 70 people packed the Ojai council chambers Tuesday night to protest a discussion they feared would end in Francina’s ouster.

Former Councilwoman and three-time Mayor Nina Shelley, who attended the meeting, said more than two dozen speakers who defended Francina were an unruly group.

“I was on the City Council for 16 years and I never came across anything like” that, Shelley said. “It just seemed like get in your face and ‘do what we want, or else.’ ”

Troubles for Francina and the council began last month when she tried to change her vote that favored cutting down three dying oaks in Libbey Park. While the city removed two trees, public protests persuaded the council to leave the third oak and try to restore it to health.

Stan Greene, former president of Citizens to Preserve the Ojai, an environmental group, said the removal of the oaks in Libbey Park became a symbol to residents who feel the City Council does not heed the public’s wishes. Some residents consider Francina the only council member who listens to them, he said.

Francina is up for reelection this November as is Councilwoman Sue Horgan, who was appointed to the council last November to replace Ellen Hall, who moved to Australia.

Francina has not officially said whether she will run for reelection but said she probably will, based on the public support she received at this week’s meeting.