Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Jim Shaw was a newcomer to local politics when he was elected two years ago; now he's the city's 25th mayor. Shaw takes on challenge of Mayor's role By Sarah Lombardo When Jim Shaw stood up at the Adult Care Center Dec. 1, raised his right hand, took the oath of office and became Saratoga's 25th mayor, residents from all walks of the political spectrum gave him a standing ovation. Many said they stood out of happiness that a once-political underdog and newcomer to the world of politics was getting his turn at the wheel. Others said they stood for Shaw because he is a well-respected member of the community, one who has endeared himself even to those who opposed him in his 1996 campaign for office. But probably few knew the real significance of the event: that Shaw almost didn't stick around for it. "I vacillated on that," Shaw said of his decision to stay on the council. "I almost resigned from the council before the [swearing in]." The concern, Shaw said, was his fight against the cancer he was diagnosed with earlier this year. When first diagnosed, Shaw told a few city officials he might resign if it seemed he might not be able to continue giving 100 percent to his council duties. After a discussion with his doctor and family, Shaw decided he could continue his work. But the work of a mayor is different. It's often more time-consuming and more demanding. And all that was something he considered. But, Shaw said, city manager Larry Perlin said something could be worked out. "I was concerned and saddened, of course, to hear that Jim was thinking of leaving the council," Perlin said. "For one, because I think Jim's a swell guy. And I was concerned from the standpoint that Jim was in the middle of his term and I think he's become a very effective member of the council. It would have been a significant loss to the council." A loss to a council of which the majority are newcomers, Perlin pointed out. "If Jim had not been able to stay on, that would have meant four new members of the city council," Perlin said. "There would have been a real lack of experience and knowledge of current situations." Shaw pointed out, however, that he will not hesitate to resign from the council if he feels he isn't able to do his job. Shaw joined the city council in November 1996 when he and vice mayor Stan Bogosian won seats, ousting incumbent Ann Marie Burger. Although Bogosian had previously done a stint on the city's planning commission, the pair were considered newcomers to Saratoga's political scene. Supporters hoped the new blood on the council would make it more in touch with residents' demands on such hot-button issues as growth and the Saratoga Creek. Critics claimed the pair were simply riding on the wave of success from Measure G, Saratoga's slow-growth initiative that was passed in March 1996. The Measure G campaign was Shaw's first foray into local politics. Saratoga's most recent election added three more newcomers to the council: John Mehaffey, Evan Baker and Nick Streit. Baker and Mehaffey, and council hopeful Erna Jackman, all met as volunteers for the Measure G campaign. And like Shaw in 1996, they sit on the council without any previous experience. Measure G connected and Shaw's support of Mehaffey, Baker and Jackman have led some councilwatchers to speculate what effect the common background will have on the councilmembers' decisions. But it's speculation that Shaw feels is unwarranted. "They are people of their own minds," he said of the new councilmembers. "It seems to be a majority now that there are more on the council who are aligned with positions Stan and I have taken on, but that's not to say they don't have their own opinions. I don't see any block voting." On the contrary, Shaw cited the fact that Mehaffey and Streit are the first councilmembers in years to have young children at home, and said he thinks they will bring a fresh perspective to the council--a perspective that will put the council more in touch with the changing demographics of the city. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, December 16, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.