OUTGOING MAYOR Tony Strickland presents a gavel to new Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark (OC Tribune photo),
By Daniella Moreau/Orange County Tribune
The new mayor of Huntington Beach is Gracey Van Der Mark and the new mayor pro tem is Pat Burns, chosen during Tuesday night’s Huntington Beach City Council meeting.
The council voted 4-3, with outgoing pro tem Van Der Mark, outgoing mayor Tony Strickland, Burns and Casey McKeon in favor of the new mayor and mayor pro tem. Councilmembers Natalie Moser, Dan Kalmick, and Rhonda Bolton were in opposition.
The council voted to disregard the previously established policies of rotating the position of mayor and mayor pro tem. Under the existing policy, the position of mayor pro tem was chosen based on the years of service and the number of votes received by the electorate. The following year, the mayor pro tem becomes the mayor.
Councilmember Natalie Moser expressed concern about setting aside the established selection procedures. “The disruption of these long-standing traditions not only undermines the trust and predictability essential in our governance but also disregards the fair and equitable principles that have guided us over the years,” said Moser.
Outgoing Mayor Tony Strickland commented on his support for Van Der Mark as the new mayor. “She’s a fighter. She’s someone who will not back down and will fight for what she believes in. The thing I really admire about Gracey is she’s not different from when [she] was a citizen, to when she was mayor pro tem; Gracey is Gracey. She’s a passionate person who deeply cares about people,” said Strickland.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19.
Categories: Huntington Beach
She is biased, narrow minded, dictatorial and lacking in perspective. Not a wise choice and politics at its worst.
And you, Miss Lazicky, are a bitter loser who cannot accept defeat.
She is the first Latina mayor, no matter how much you hate her for being a successful, Conservative Hispanic.
She’s awesome!!! Love her & God bless her!!!
Interesting that the new council members are undoing policies of previous councils. The previous members worked so hard to save the good quality of HB living. Now the present council is changing the peaceful and fair policies. Selecting unqualified personnel in leadership positions such as City Manager, should be questioned for ethical practices.
Really disappointed in the some of the council practices which are close to being very dishonest.
As a long time resident of HB, I hope that someday HB will, once again, be the city to be proud of.