By
Eleanor Boswell-Raine,
Managing Editor
Photos by Scott York
Tuesday
night more than twenty residents and other interest
groups advocated for likely candidates to fill Mindell
Penn’s council seat. Four of those contenders
spoke to the Council: Corky Booze, Gary Bell, Andres
Soto and Deborah Preston-Steward. Silence overtook
the city council chamber as the council entertained
item “N-2” on the City Council agenda,
“Process to fill the open Council seat vacated
by Mindell Lewis Penn on July 1, 2005.”
One of the dominant viewpoints articulated by open
forum speakers was the selection process for councilmember
replacements. Several speakers demanded that the next
highest vote-getter from the November 2004 election,
Andres Soto, should automatically receive the appointment
because it was in keeping with the democratic process.
In previous years, the Council appointed new members
through a nomination and selection process. The City
Council used the same process to select the Vice Mayor
and to fill the last Council vacancy. (1) A councilmember
nominates a candidate and if the nomination has a
second; (2) all councilmembers vote on the candidate,
and (3) the first candidate that receives a majority
vote receives the appointment.
However, before the process was reviewed for the public,
Councilmember John Marquez was the first to be recognized
by presiding Mayor Irma Anderson. From that point
on the political volleying took off like a bullet.
In all there were three rounds of nominations, seconds
and polling of the council.
Round One.
Former City Council candidate Corky Booze was nominated
by Councilmember John Marquez, and seconded by Counalcilmember
Thomas Butt; polling of the council was interrupted
by Councilperson Gayle McLaughlin who offered a “substitute
motion” based on what she said was “fairness
to the community.” |
McLaughlin stated, “There is only one way that
the council can represent democracy, and based on the
community’s wishes.”
Stating that it is not a question of being 100% in agreement,
but 100% agreement with democracy, she nominated Andres
Soto. Her motion was seconded by Butt, and supported
by Councilmember Rodgers, but failed to get five votes.
The Council then went back to the original motion regarding
Corky Booze, however the remaining members of the council
abstained.
Round Two
Former Councilmember Gary Bell was nominated by Councilmember
Tom Butt and was seconded by Councilmember Richard Griffin.
Councilmember Jim Rodgers voted yes, however the other
four votes did not go his way. Round Three
The final nomination for Tony Thurmond was made by Councilmember
Maria Viramontes and seconded by Councilmember Butt
and cinched by John Marquez, Jim Rodgers and Mayor Irma
Anderson. Tony Thurmond’s appointment could be
a signal for the much expected shift in power touted
by Richmond political prophets.
This year Thurmond surfaced on the political radar with
his appointment by Mayor Anderson to the Youth Commission
and as the Chair of the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program.
Other supporters of his appointment were the Black American
Political Action Committee (BAPAC) and the Richmond
Chamber Political Action Committee, Rich Pac.
Thurmond, a young family man with an agenda that starts
with investment in youth as Richmond’s future,
should put a new spin on defining a new paradigm within
the City Council mix of members. |
