Donald Voss elected mayor

Council members on Monday unanimously elected Donald Voss mayor of La Cañada Flintridge.

Voss, who previously served as mayor pro tem, replaces Laura Olhasso. Olhasso’s one-year term was among the most challenging in recent memory, officials said, marked by a fatal traffic accident, the devastating Station fire and ongoing debris flows. She remains on the council.

Councilman Greg Brown was elected mayor pro tem.

Voss previously worked as a commercial banker with First Interstate Bank and Wells Fargo. He served as city treasurer for five years before being appointed to the council in December 2006 to fill a seat vacated by Anthony Portantino. Portantino stepped down after being elected to the state Assembly.

“It is extremely humbling, especially when one reviews the photo portraits on the walls of those who have served before and so well in this capacity,” Voss said. “To the extent I succeed as mayor, it will be due in large measure to the exemplary work done by my predecessors.”

He said among his priorities as mayor will be to ensure the prudent financial management of city funds, improve the responsiveness of municipal government and enhance public safety measures. Voss also plans to continue to look for opportunities to better serve the community’s youth, and to carry on the city’s conversion from septic tanks to a central sewer system.

“We must continue to be vigilant for opportunities to fulfill the vision of the city’s sewer master plan in a manner that residents can embrace,” he said.

The first-time mayor spoke warmly of Olhasso, thanking her for her devotion to the city.

“Laura has displayed a most uncommon and effective brand of leadership,” Voss said.

La Cañada residents and representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments, among others, joined in thanking the outgoing mayor.

Paradise Valley resident Tom Smith recounted one night when Olhasso visited to deliver a dinner she had prepared for the neighborhood, which was beleaguered by repeated evacuations.

“It was such a sweet thing to do, and I think only shows the level of service you brought to the community,” Smith said.

Her leadership during the last 12 months was exemplary, said Joel Peterson, president of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce.

“I have always heard that adage, ‘If you want to get a job done, find a good woman to do it,’” Peterson said. “And by God, I don’t know any man or woman who could have done any better than you have.”