The Mayor Matters

On Dec. 13 the Encinitas City Council majority is likely to pass over Teresa Barth for the role of mayor or deputy mayor yet again. They will say that it’s just a ceremonial position so their selection doesn’t really matter. But it does matter. A lot. The mayor of Encinitas controls the agenda of the City Council. Even though the Council agreed that two members could call for something to be put on the agenda, they did not set a time limit, so if the mayor doesn’t want the item to come up, it doesn’t. The mayor sets the tone of the Council meetings. Invitations and information come to the mayor, as the representative of the city, and the mayor decides whether or not to pass them along, and if so, to whom. Some Council members never learn about events to which the Council is invited until after the fact. The mayor represents Encinitas in the League of California Cities and other regional forums.  The mayor controls appointments of Council members to other regional boards and committees.  And, the mayor is the symbolic leader of the city, and as such, receives many contacts from the public that the mayor can address as s/he sees fit. 

The Encinitas municipal code says that the mayor is elected by a majority of the Council, without providing any criteria for the selection. There has been an informal practice of rotating the mayoral duties, followed in most years until Ms. Barth’s turn arrived. The criteria for selecting a mayor are not articulated in any city laws or policies, and the explanations given by the Council members themselves make no sense. The reality seems to be that the majority plans the mayoral rotation to gain maximum political benefit. I predict that Mr. Stocks will soon become mayor, and Mr. Muir will be selected as deputy mayor. How convenient, as both are likely to be running for reelection in 2012.

It’s time to be honest. If the mayor position is just ceremonial, let Ms. Barth take her turn. If it’s an important and powerful position that does matter a lot, as it does, let’s be honest and admit that this is a power play by the majority, plain and simple. Teresa Barth has worked hard and been the most responsible, accessible, communicative member of the Council over the last five years. The voters of Encinitas have elected Ms. Barth twice. The Council majority has an obligation to serve all of the citizens, and it is a matter of fairness and professional courtesy to give Ms. Barth her turn as mayor. Other members are on record saying she deserves her turn (you can see videos of past Council statements about the mayoral selection online here, or you can watch the video clip attached to this blog post ). It’s time for the Council to behave with the respect and integrity they give lip service to, and appoint Teresa Barth as mayor. 

Come to City Hall on Dec. 13 and witness the City Council in action. 

The opinions expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Patch.