Mayor Choice: Sign of Unity

Despite the rancor and bitterness that has rocked Mission Viejo City Hall recently, the City Council showed a rare unified front Monday night in electing Gail Reavis mayor.

Councilwoman Patricia Kelley set the tone for the unanimous vote by withdrawing her name for the top post minutes before two dozen speakers were to debate the merits of the two candidates. Kelley threw her support behind Reavis, preaching civility and unity.

After her speech, Kelley exchanged a hug and a kiss with Reavis. “I did this totally for the city,” Kelley said. “This is the best shot we have at ending the divisiveness and putting a positive step forward.”

Kelley’s surprise announcement prompted a standing ovation from her supporters and critics alike. Earlier in the meeting, however, one of those critics blistered Kelley as having betrayed the Citizens for Integrity and Government, which helped elect her, saying she had dared to contemplate running against Reavis, a member of the group.

After Reavis’ was named mayor, Kelley was elected to take her place as vice mayor.

In many suburban cities, the election of mayor is routine and done on a rotation basis among City Council members. But nearly everything in Mission Viejo politics these days is contentious because of the council’s makeup.

In the city’s 15-year history, every vice mayor who has wanted the top job has gotten it. The mayoral post, which rotates every year, entails presiding over council meetings, appointing people to committees and commissions, and representing the city at events local and distant. The mayor gets the same $500 a month as other council members.

As vice mayor, Reavis was the logical choice for the top job -- until she became embroiled in recent controversies.

A retiree first elected in 2000, she acquired some notoriety this year by charging a lunch tab to City Hall without noting that her husband was among the guests. She refunded the city $10 for his share.

Reavis was also in the middle of the city manager drama that played out last month. In a letter to the city attorney, Reavis said City Manager Dan Joseph was having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, which he denied.

The City Council ultimately agreed to buy out the balance of Joseph’s contract, and provide other compensation, to get him out of City Hall, and so that he wouldn’t sue Reavis over her comments about him.