Pearson named Laguna’s new mayor

Elizabeth Pearson is Laguna Beach’s mayor for the next year.

Outgoing Mayor Kelly Boyd nominated Pearson to the City Council’s lead post at Tuesday’s council meeting. Pearson was mayor pro tem for the past year.

Boyd’s council colleagues commended his leadership in the past year while fighting cancer.

“I thank Kelly Boyd for your service,” Pearson said. “You’ve been an exemplary mayor through a very tough year. You’ve tried to be at every event, cut every ribbon.”

Pearson presented Boyd a square wood plaque with a gavel, which he accepted with the audience’s standing ovation.

“I found Kelly so easy to work with,” Councilman Steve Dicterow said.

Boyd nominated Councilman Bob Whalen to replace Pearson as mayor pro tem, which the council approved.

The leadership changes took effect immediately.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce