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Council to be sworn in, Aguirre bids farewell at Monday’s meeting

December 01, 2010
Santa Paula City Council

One returning City Council member and two incumbents will be sworn into office Monday at a meeting to be held at the Community Center.

The December 6 meeting will be preceded by the official results of the November 2 General Election votes, according to Deputy City Clerk Peggy Higgins. “We will have a brief special meeting to present the certification of the votes” completed by County Clerk Recorder Mark Lunn, noted Higgins.

The regular meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. and be televised live on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 and replayed according to schedule. The meeting, noted Higgins, is expected to be brief: “We’ll have some presentations,” including those to outgoing Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre, who declined to seek a third four-year term.

The Community Center is being utilized for the swearing in because “It’s a little more festive and allows room for family and friends.... We will be recognizing and showing our appreciation to Councilman Aguirre for his dedication to Santa Paula” since he began his service in 2002.

Presentations will be followed by the swearing in of incumbents Ralph Fernandez and Bob Gonzales to their second terms on the council, as well as Rick Cook, a former two-term council member who was defeated four years ago in his third bid for office. Then it will be up to the council to select a new mayor and vice mayor.

Jim Tovias has been mayor for one year, and vice mayor is Fred Robinson. The largely ceremonial mayor’s position is usually rotated based upon succession, although there have been controversial upsets in the past.

Higgins said city business would be followed by a brief reception featuring coffee, punch and cookies. For more information or to inquire about making a special presentation in recognition of Councilmember Aguirre, contact Higgins at 933-4208, or email phiggins@spcity.org.

The Community Center is located at 530 West Main St. at the corner of Steckel Drive.