Newly elected council members John Procter, Jenny Crosswhite and Ginger Gherardi took the Oath of Office in front of a standing room only crowd at the Community Center Monday evening.

Procter, Crosswhite, Gherardi
take Council Oath of Office

December 05, 2014
Santa Paula News

There was a sea change in the City Council Monday when a new majority of the panel was sworn into office and a new mayor and vice mayor selected.

Newly elected council members Jenny Crosswhite, Ginger Gherardi and John Procter - who served on the council from 2000-2008 before stepping down - took the Oath of Office in front of a standing room only crowd at the Community Center.

They replaced Rick Cook, who stepped down at the end of his first term - like Procter Cook served the council previously, but was reelected in 2010 after losing a bid for a third term in 2006 - and incumbents Ralph Fernandez and Bob Gonzales. The two-term incumbents lost their bids for reelection in November. 

The only public speaker was Danny Carrillo SEIU Local 721 who noted the organization was looking forward to working with the new leadership. 

As “an afterthought,” Carrillo asked why SEIU members were not beneficiaries of the failed Measure F sales tax increase to boost pubic safety and roads. 

But he did note SEIU is “looking forward to the next contract negotiations where the members will get the respect that is lacking now,” in discussions. 

The certified results of the November election were adopted before City Clerk Judy Rice conducted the Oath of Office ceremony for Crosswhite, Gherardi and Procter they then took their places at the council table.

What followed were presentations recognizing the service of the departing council members.

The incoming council was brief with their remarks including Gherardi, who retired from leading the Ventura County Transportation Commission after 17 years.

She thanked her supports and noted, “It’s a privilege and an honor to represent the citizens of Santa Paula... and I will work very hard to earn their trust.”

Crosswhite, a pastor who also works in public relations, graphic arts and marketing, noted, “It’s an honor to serve you... I’m happy,” to see such a crowd of spectators which Crosswhite said she hopes is an indication of future communication.

“I hope you continue to call us, show up at meetings... it’s going to take all of us to make Santa Paula - already great - even greater. I look forward to serving you.”

“This all feels very familiar, it’s déjà vu all over again,” said Procter who noted his decision to run for a potential return to the city council was a decision he “struggled with for a while... but at the end of the day I thought about how rooted I am in Santa Paula,” and how much he looks forward to again serving.

“It’s time,” he added, “to get to work.”

Councilman Martin Hernandez thanked the new members for their dedication and spoke of how when he was running a campaign his encounter with a citizen became his “barometer” of service.

“I hope you found your barometer,” and Hernandez welcomed the trio, urged them to call upon him and thanked them “For your commitment to service... “

“I spoke to each new member individually,” and Councilman Jim Tovias said “It’s great to see new faces on the council with new ideas and new energy... sometimes change is good.”

He noted that campaigning is often viewed as “Out of our comfort zone,” and now they’ll all work as a team and “move forward... “

“I will make it real brief,” said City Manager Jaime Fontes who told the new council “It is a passion, not a job,” and noted they “bring great qualifications to the table... I wish you great success in carrying out your vision,” and future plans.

Said City Attorney John Cotti, “My door is always open for questions, concerns and comments at any time... good luck.”

During the portion of the meeting to address future agenda items Gherardi got right to work requesting a special workshop be scheduled to “discuss goals and objections, set priorities for the coming year... it’s really time for us to start talking,” about issues that must be addressed.

Crosswhite asked that the council receive a county briefing on the November 18 chemical explosions at Santa Clara Waste Water located west of the city that injured more than 50 people, including three Santa Paula Firefighters. 





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