Politics & Government

Councilmen Set Application Deadline for March 22

They agree to appoint a replacement for Gary Thompson—instead of holding a special election—on a night when they also remember Cpl. Jordan Stanley.

Three of Rancho Santa Margarita's four City Council members hardly had a dissenting word among themselves Wednesday night before a large assemblage of interested residents.

After the special meeting on Friday in which there was plenty of emotion, this meeting got off to a reverent beginning and carried a respectful tone throughout as Mayor Tony Beall and colleagues Jerry Holloway and Steve Baric agreed they should appoint a replacement for the recently resigned Gary Thompson's seat. Thompson resigned last week citing health concerns of aging family members for which he is responsible, as well as business responsibilities.

The alternative was to hold a special election, which wouldn't take place until November. That, and that a special election would cost the city between $108,000 and $120,000 compared with an appointment that wouldn't have any additional costs beyond staff time and legal review, carried the discussion.

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They were in agreement with Rancho resident Nick Alivojvodic, who said during the public comment portion of the meeting: "We're on a good track right now, and a special election is a waste of our money. We just went through a brutal election process ... that made a lot of people choose sides."

Beall called it "the most cost effective [option], and most expeditious, especially in the situation the council finds itself in."

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The situation is that the fourth council member, Jesse Petrilla, is on active duty training with the California Army National Guard in Fort Knox, KY. The councilmen hope to include Petrilla in the process of choosing Thompson's replacement. Petrilla will be in Rancho Santa Margarita April 8-9.

An appointee will hold Thompson's seat through November 2012, but must run for election in order to keep it thereafter. However, the winner of a special election in November would have retained Thompson's seat for the remainder of his original term through 2014.

The council agreed to accept applications for Thompson's position until noon March 22, at which time the applicants' information will be forwarded to the councilmen in advance of the regularly scheduled meeting March 23.

At that time they will determine the next step, including interviews and selection process. Petrilla, through e-mail with City Manager Steve Hayman, expressed a hope that the decision would be made while he was present on April 8 or 9 while on leave from his tank school training. He is expected to return permanently on June 17.

Before Thompson resigned, the council voted 3-1 to appoint a temporary replacement for Petrilla's seat. There were 17 applicants in the eight days the position was floated. Holloway said he hoped all would continue their interest in the permanent position.

Beall opened the meeting by relating the sacrifice to country made on Friday by RSM resident Cpl. Jordan Stanton, 20, who was killed during combat in Operation Enduring Freedom. He then asked for a moment of silence before the Pledge of Allegiance.

Stanton's name came up in public comments when Daniel Lak suggested that the Bell Tower Regional Community Center be renamed in honor of Stanton.

The meeting was also adjourned in the memory of Stanton.

Cooper Cheon, Michael Taylor Hales and Charlotte Whiting from Cielo Vista Elementary were recognized as part of the city’s student recognition program.

Alyssa Smith was recognized as a 911 hero for providing clear and accurate information during a 911 call after her family's garage caught fire and she needed to get three younger siblings out of the house. She was 8 at the time.

Also honored were Relay for Life kings and queens—all of them cancer survivors—for 2009 and 2010, Brian Cardona and Gretchen Russell, and Glen Latham and Geri Stanley.

The council also approved proclamations recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Week March 13-19, and Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week March 14-20.

Also approved on the consent calendar were agreements with Hartzog & Crabill Inc., for traffic engineering services related to future intersection improvements at Santa Margarita Parkway and Tomas; and landscape maintenance services with Mission Landscaping Cos.


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