Mark Church's successful run for County Clerk et al that we discussed in February has some to pass. The San Mateo County Times (aka Mercury News) reporter has gotten on the phone to potential candidates with the expected results described here
Burlingame Vice Mayor Terry Nagel, Millbrae Council Member Gina Papan, San Mateo County Community College District Board Member Richard Holober and San Mateo Unified High School District Board President David Pine confirmed Monday they are considering a run for Church's seat if a special election is held.
The tough question is "Is it better to spend the extra money for a special election among an open field or appoint someone who gets the press and support of an incumbent?" In these times that is a tough question because, as the article implies but doesn't actually state, $500K is "real money".
It seems to me that an election for Mark Church's seat should be in Nov. along with scheduled regular election. The newly elected Supervisor could then take office in January 2011 when Church's term is up, simple - no need for a special election or a "temporary" appointment. If Church resigns before Jan. then we'd be one Supervisor short for a bit unless the newly elected Supervisor could step in early.
Posted by: Jeff | June 17, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Today's Daily Journal is reporting:
San Mateo County leaders are once again facing the dicey decision between appointment and election to fill a vacancy after Supervisor Mark Church confirmed Tuesday he will not resign early.
Church, elected in June to the position of assessor-clerk-recorder and elections chief, announced he will finish out the year on the Board of Supervisors before assuming his new job in January. Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Warren Slocum is resigning at the end of this year.
Church’s announcement Tuesday afternoon ended weeks of wonder since he beat a write-in candidate for the position once held by his father. Despite some public calls for him to step down now and allow voters to pick a replacement in November, Church said he has “an obligation and a public duty” to see through several projects like a new jail site and adoption of the Local Coastal Plan. He also cited the county’s financial challenges, including the adoption in September of a budget that will be crafted by the ongoing economic crisis and state budget decisions.
Here is the full link
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=135335&title=Supervisor%20will%20not%20resign
Posted by: Joe | July 07, 2010 at 06:19 AM
More from today's Daily Journal:
County leaders will not give voters the chance this fall to weigh in on district elections but will ask them to decide if filling mid-year supervisor vacancies should be governed by guidelines limiting the board’s ability to appoint replacements.
“I believe we have the best of both worlds and I don’t want to compartmentalize like San Francisco,” said Supervisor Adrienne Tissier, referring to that city’s district-specific elections.
The Board of Supervisors will also place on the November ballot measures requiring resignations in other county elected offices to be given in writing and deemed irrevocable. These vacancies could be filled by an all-mail ballot at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.
Together, the two measures will cost $500,000 to place on the ballot.
Posted by: Joe | July 14, 2010 at 07:01 AM
It would be nice to have Ms. Nagel away from B-game decision making. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: JF | July 16, 2010 at 12:23 PM