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Fowler elected mayor as the city council stands divided
Vorrieter, Valerio and Walker all abstain from mayoral vote
By Jana Seshadri
It was not smooth sailing for Fred Fowler during his Nov. 20 swearing-in ceremony. Vice Mayor Fred Fowler was elected mayor of Sunnyvale at the city council meeting with votes from four council members--Julia Miller, Tim Risch, John Howe and Fred Fowler. But council members Manuel Valerio, Pat Vorreiter and Jack Walker abstained from the vote.
During the nomination process, Miller started off by nominating Fowler for Mayor. However, Vorreiter then nominated former Mayor Walker for another one-year term.
Fowler would not comment on Walker's nomination but said he was happy with the majority vote.
Traditionally, the vice-mayor is elected to mayor without issue. The city staff makes a formal recomendation for the vice-mayor to be elected mayor, and it's followed without controversy.
"This is democracy in action," said Congressman Mike Honda, who was present to swear in the new officers.
The council members elect the mayor and vice mayor of Sunnyvale, and both serve one-year terms, according to city policy. However, Vorreiter said policy could be changed in the interest of the city.
"Mayor Walker has been a very strong voice for the council and did an outstanding job as mayor. We need the most efficient city council possible," Vorreiter said. She spoke highly of Walker's leadership qualities and encouraged him to serve a second-term as mayor to "maintain strong continuity."
"I agree with Pat," Valerio said, adding that Walker was solid and inspirational as mayor. "But we've voted and elected our new mayor, and we must move on."
Walker said he was flattered that some council members wanted him to be mayor for a second term. Concerning his opinion of Fowler as the incoming mayor, he said, "Sometimes it's difficult to pass judgment and determine the quality of a mayor. Fowler and I have disagreed on issues before, and we'll see how it goes in the future."
Quoting Abraham Lincoln during his acceptance speech, Mayor Fowler stressed that government should be conducted the way people want, and as mayor he said he would "do public's business, the public way." Fowler thanked his wife, family and friends for supporting him through the last four years and hoped for their continued support through the next four.
The council unanimously elected councilmember Miller to be vice mayor.
Jim Roberts, who had to leave the council due to term limits, thanked his family, friends and supporters, many of whom were present in the audience, and accepted a plaque from Walker as a parting gift.
"Jim proves that just because you disagree with me doesn't mean you're not a nice guy," Walker said at the meeting.
Honda also swore in the newly elected John Howe to the council.
New seating arrangements were also decided upon by the council: Mayor Fowler in the middle, with council members Walker, Vorreiter and Valerio to his right and council members Miller, Risch and Howe to his left. Their seat selection seemed to divide the council members into two groups--those who voted for Fowler and those who abstained.
"On some issues, there is a sharp divide among the council," Fowler said. "Part of my job is to make that divide go away, and I'm already working on it."
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
