Vice Mayor Erin Garner was a unanimous choice for mayor. But it wasn't until after a lengthy discussion that Councilman Curtis Wright was selected as the vice mayor.

Following his outgoing comments, former Mayor David Baxter nominated Garner for the role of mayor. The vice mayor is traditionally next in line for the mayor position.

Baxter claimed during his closing comments that the council was fortunate in keeping a balanced budget over the past year, but could face difficulties sustaining a stable financial situation in the coming year.

"We need to maintain a tradition of not running in a deficit position," Baxter said. "It has been a personal joy to serve as mayor, and maybe I'll get another chance."

In his acceptance speech, Garner praised Baxter for being even-headed and keeping the council together as a team, then proceeded to nominate Wright for vice mayor.

But Councilwoman Barbara Nesbet claimed that a precedent had been set in the past where the council member who has the most seniority should be next in line for vice mayor. Nesbet is the senior-most member of the council.

After the meeting, Nesbet claimed she was mistaken about the seniority issue and, as evidenced by the Nov. 18 meeting, it was clear that rules change with every new council. Nesbet said, however, she plans to bring an item to the council's Dec. 2 meeting that will suggest a policy for how a vice mayor should be appointed to help avoid animosity.

"Nobody wants to be working on a council where they feel everyone is working against them," Nesbet said.

Former Councilwoman Suzanne Jackson said while the person with the most seniority often becomes vice mayor, it is not always the case, such as with former Council member Joel Gambord, who wasn't elected vice mayor or mayor in 1998 or 1999, although he had been on the council since 1996.

"The council can do whatever they want," Jackson said. "There is really no precedent. That's just the way it has been going."

Nesbet, who has been on the council for six years and received the highest number of votes from constituents, said experience on the council helps when leading the city. Councilman Mark Brodsky attempted to nominate Nesbet for vice mayor, but Garner's motion had already been made to elect Wright as vice mayor.

Garner said Nesbet had done an excellent job serving as both mayor and vice mayor in the past, but it was time to give the opportunity to "new blood," being Wright. Because of the election process the council follows, there's a potential that not every council member will have the opportunity to be mayor.

Nesbet, a Democrat presently running for Assembly District 21, disagreed with Garner's position.

"I respect all of you. I respect your vote, but I would urge us all to consider the city as a whole," Nesbet said. "I would again advocate for my right to be vice mayor this time around."

In the interest of civility, Brodsky said, when the council members disagree with each other they try to work out their differences together. He said he didn't mind changing tradition this time from the way vice mayors have been elected in the past. Baxter reminded Nesbet that regardless of who was chosen for vice mayor, there was no lack in her qualifications for the position.

Brodsky also brought up Wright's experience as a representative in the League of California Cities, which serves California's 478 incorporated cities, as well as Wright's current unemployed status. Wright said that because he is out of work, he has the time to devote to the position.

The council voted 5-0 in favor of Wright, with Nesbet joining the vote to keep the council's selection unanimous. After the vote, Wright asked to be called mayor pro tem rather than vice mayor to give him more clout in dealing with officials from other cities.

Ordinance passes

The council members also passed the second reading and adoption of an amended special events ordinance in a 3-2 vote; the ordinance will regulate events such as parades, celebrations, bazaars and holiday lights displays to 12 hours within a 72-hour time period. Baxter and Garner both voted against the ordinance. The ordinance states that a permit must be filed with City Manager Brian Loventhal 30 days before the event. The ordinance will go into effect Dec. 18.

Monte Sereno residents Le and Susan Nguyen, who live on Danielle Place, applauded after the vote was passed and thanked the council for spending the time on an issue that has been at times extremely unpopular. Le said the ordinance isn't about one neighborhood dispute, because it involves 23,000 cars driving through Danielle Place to view the holiday display of Monte Sereno resident Alan Aerts every Christmas.

Wright said the ordinance does not preclude anyone from having a Christmas lights display, but that such a display must be regulated. But Garner said he didn't think this ordinance was the best way to remedy the problem, since there's already a public nuisance ordinance on the books.

"I certainly want everyone to know I respect their opinions about this," Garner said. "I just don't think this is the way to address it."

Brodsky said he didn't see any choice but to vote in favor of the ordinance because it was the most well-rounded, general way to prevent neighbors from causing disturbances.

"It's unfortunate sometimes that we have to legislate or regulate reasonableness," Nesbet said.

Because the Aerts' display will start the day after Thanksgiving—before the ordinance goes into effect—it will be "grandfathered in" for this holiday season as long as Aerts does not increase the extent of his display, according to Loventhal. Aerts will be subject to following the special events ordinance next year. Loventhal said the ordinance is intended to regulate the traffic impacts of special events on the streets of Monte Sereno.

"Everything went as anticipated," Aerts said. "A lot of people were upset, and a lot of people didn't even know the ordinance passed."

The Aerts' display will start Nov. 28 and run through Jan. 1, starting at sundown and running until approximately 10 p.m. nightly. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Aerts family will serve hot chocolate, cider and freshly baked cookies to neighbors who come by their home.