Van Der Mark is new mayor

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.