A whirlwind vote

It was standing room only as Steven Mecum, Rosaena Sanchez and Pam Kimball took their place on the Lindsay City Council dais on Tuesday at City Hall.

Each member will serve a term of four years.

Former Mayor Ed Murray thanked the council members and city staff for their hard work.

“I really want to thank the staff and the city council members for the last two years. It’s been a pleasure,” said Murray.

Mecum was also thankful.

“I’d like to thank everyone. I’m going to do everything I can for this community,” said Mecum in council reports.

Sanchez, too, was ready for action.

“I’m happy to be here and ready to serve,” he said.

After swearing an oath of office that included swearing to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution and that of California against all enemies foreign and domestic, each council member signed a form giving them official status. Then the process of voting for the mayor and mayor pro tem took place.

After a 3-2 vote Padilla was elected as mayor. Salinas was then elected mayor pro tem.
“I have obviously big shoes to fill. Coming in as the new mayor is very exciting. I’m very thankful that the council members had the confidence in me to lead the city. I’m very grateful,” said Padilla.

One of her goals is to continue working and collaborating with the school district and other agencies in the town.

Locals were appreciative of the new members.

“It was a change that we’ve been waiting for,” Yolanda Flores, a Lindsay resident, said. “It’s unlimited hope that they will engage in the community and be approachable.”

Resident Janie Castro agreed.

“Change is good,” she said. “We just have to keep moving forward.”

Joana Arevalo, Sanchez’s sister-in-law, believes that this is a step in the right direction.

“The new election of the council members is the best thing that has happened so far. They’re going to be the best for the city,” said Arevalo.

Richard Espiritu drove all the way from Glendale to present a certificate of congratulations to Mayor Padilla and council members Sanchez and Mecum.

“Steve [Mecum] and I have been friends for about two years,” said Espiritu.

He wanted to show his appreciation to the new members and to the new mayor. According to Espiritu, Padilla is the first female Latina Mayor of Lindsay.

In council reports Kimball reported that the Lindsay Unified School District received a $10 million Race to the Top grant which drew applause from the crowd.

In other business:
- City Manager Rich Wilkinson reported the hydro seeding at the park is almost complete. The arbors are finished.
- The Wellness Center is booked for every weekend until after the first of the year and membership is up.

Contact Emily Shapiro at  784-5000, ext. 1050 or on Twitter @ EmilyShapirogar.