A Lot Is Riding on Council Seat

Resident Milton Burdick isn’t sure which way the political winds will blow when the City Council tries this month to appoint someone to the seat left vacant by new Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher (R-Brea). The city’s in a political stew over the matter, and all Burdick hopes is that the two-year position is filled by someone who will serve Brea as a whole, and not only interest groups.

The seat is a pivotal one, with the remaining four council members philosophically split on some key issues, including growth and redevelopment.

Whoever is appointed to the position could determine the city’s next council majority and set its course for the future, Burdick said.

The council decided to accept applications for the seat after discounting the notion of naming Planning Commissioner Don Schweitzer to the post. Schweitzer came in third in the Nov. 7 council race for two seats, trying unsuccessfully to unseat incumbents Bev Perry and Marty Simonoff, who won reelection.

Schweitzer said Thursday that he plans to file an application for the vacant seat. He said he was curious why the council would not have appointed him outright as the next vote-getter in the recent election.

Burdick, who occasionally attends council meetings and considers himself an average citizen, attributed the dispute to “political maneuvering.” Seated council members did not return calls for comment this week.

Applications for the seat are available at City Hall and must be returned to the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Wednesday. To date, several people have picked up applications, but none had filed as of Thursday.

The council will interview applicants Dec. 17 and 19. If the four-member panel is unable to reach a vote to fill the seat, a special election will be called at a cost of about $30,000 to the city, officials said.