A Council United?

Photo by John Anderson

City Council sang kumbaya at its swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, June 28, even though behind-the-scenes politicking meant there would be a new mayor pro tem along with a new Place 3 council member. Mayor Lee Leffingwell, referencing to divided opinion in the Place 3 race, said council had "been through a very difficult, even divisive time," but now it was "time to come together for the betterment of the community." Part of that, apparently, meant Mike Martinez had to relinquish his largely honorary mayor pro tem title. Martinez described a conversation with Sheryl Cole following the election of Kathie Tovo – whom Cole supported – in which Cole expressed to Martinez "somewhat of a community expectation" that she should become MPT. In a conciliatory gesture, Martinez said: "I won't stand in the way of a motion to nominate Cole. In fact, I'll support the motion." Bill Spelman then nominated Cole, a move he was "honored and delighted" to make; Cole was then unanimously named MPT. Tovo and her fellow initiates, Laura Morrison and Chris Riley, all spoke, sounding similarly conciliatory notes while hewing to their campaign themes. "We need to make major decisions only after measuring the impact on all of our citizens," said Tovo.