Goleta tumult over pro tem
Councilmember claims she was betrayed.
By DAVID DOWNS
South Coast Beacon

Shady politicking overshadowed an otherwise upbeat transfer of power among the Goleta City Council Monday night.

Newly anointed Mayor Cynthia Brock and two council members apparently hoodwinked council conservative lone wolf Jean Blois out of an expected term as mayor pro tempore Dec. 1.

As pro tempore, Blois would’ve been mayor in Brock’s absence. Able to steer the course of weekly meetings, Blois could’ve gone in a direction opposite that of the majority of the council.

Blois isn’t exactly pro-business and housing, but she is less rabidly anti-growth than councilmembers Jack Hawxhurst, Jonny Wallis, and Brock. The votes often line up 4-1 against her.

“There’s no question that Blois is the most conservative and the most concerned about getting things on track as soon as possible,” said Jeff Bermant, head of BDC, a major Goleta developer.

Blois appeared to have no idea she was about to get skipped over Monday night. Hawxhust turned over mayoral power to Brock as part of the yearly rotation among the five-member council. He received a standing ovation and the occasional whistle from the 30 or so people at 401 N. Fairview Ave.

During the subsequent coffee and cake, Hawxhurst said he was happy to be done, Brock would do a good job, and Blois would be pro tempore. Blois also said she was going to be pro tempore.

But when the council reconvened to dole out staff positions, Hawxhurst nominated Wallis and Brock seconded the nomination, though nominations do not require seconding.

Council member Margaret Connell came to Blois’ defense. City attorneyJulie Biggs also agreed, in a way.

“Historically you have proceeded with the next in line being pro tem, but you have a short history,” said Biggs.

After a few awkward silences peppered with nervous laughter, the old mayor told the new mayor to take a vote. The vote came out three in favor of Wallis with Hawxhurst, Brock and a whispering Wallis voting “yes.”

Connell asked for clarification as to what just happened while Blois looked subtly stunned.

“Three in favor of Wallis,” said Brock.

Blois smirked and expressed resignation.

“I will now pull the hatchet out of my back,” she said.

Hawxhurst later denied telling The Beacon that Blois was going to be pro tempore. Blois said she expected something like this, after months of butting heads.

“[Hawxhurst] resents that fact that I puncture some of his balloon-crazy ideas,” she said. “The whole thing was just a farce.”

“It’s frustrating,” she said. “I was not surprised by that action. These people are not friendly to me obviously because I vote my conscience when I have to, and Jonny has in the past done things that made me aware of the fact that she was not to be trusted.”

Coming for the city of Goleta: a $32 million lawsuit against the city brought by the owners of the Sandpiper Gold Course. Blois said city attorney Biggs’ pretrial motions were denied at the cost of $14,000, and the case will be in court Dec. 9.