Richmond Councilmember and former mayor Gayle McLaughlin announced her resignation effective July 18 to pursue her campaign for California Lieutenant Governor. Her full statement was read at last night’s City Council meeting and is copied at the end of this email..
McLaughlin’s resignation will set in motion procedures prescribed in the Charter and Municipal Code to ultimately fill the position. Article III, Section 10 of the City Charter states that the City Council has 60 days from the date the vacancy occurs to make an appointment to the vacant seat. That date would be Saturday, September 16, 2017.
Last time this happened was when my seat became vacant on January 13, 2015, due to my election as mayor, and Vinay Pimple was ultimately appointed to fill it.
Richmond Municipal Code 2.16.090 outlines the procedure for filling vacancies on the City Council, and it states, “Every person who is interested in filling the vacancy shall be required to file a candidate’s statement as set forth in Section 2.16.080(a), but without payment of any fee.” The City Council must announce the vacancy, establish a deadline to file candidates’ statements in the City Clerk’s Office, and set a date for a public meeting for the City Council and the public to hear from the candidates who have submitted statements.
Last time this occurred on January 13, 2015, the City Council established January 29, 2015, as the deadline to file candidates’ statements in the City Clerk’s Office, and set Monday, February 2, 2015, as the date for the public meeting. Vinay Pimple was ultimately selected on March 3, scarcely a week before the 60-day deadline.
The timing of McLaughlin’ resignation just a few days before the August City Council recess will complicate scheduling of the replacement process. On the other hand, a contentious and drawn out selection of a replacement, such as occurred in 2015, should not be expected. The Richmond Progressive Alliance now has total control of the City Council, and it is expected that they will make the selection, and a majority of the City Council will support it without debate.
If an appointment is not made within 60 days, we will have to call for a special election probably in June of 2018 at a cost to the City of up to $200,000.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 27, 2017
Contact Person: Gayle McLaughlin
Compaign Name: Gayle McLaughlin for California Lt. Governor 2018
Voice Phone Number: 510-984-6536
Email: Gayle@gayleforcalifornia.org
Website: www.GayleforCalifornia.org
Gayle McLaughlin Stepping Down from Richmond City Council to Run Fulltime for Lt. Governor of California and Organize Grassroots Groups
Richmond, California, June 27, 2017 -
Richmond city councilmember and former mayor Gayle McLaughlin announced today that she will step down from her seat on the council to fully focus on her organizing campaign for the office of Lieutenant Governor of California.
McLaughlin is running with the goals of "putting people first, organizing corporate-free local groups throughout the state, and giving voters the choice of a corporate-free candidate."
McLaughlin, called the Bernie Sanders of the East Bay, made the announcement at the end of the June 27 Richmond City Council meeting. McLaughlin said, "Our nation is in a catastrophic free-fall, and the Trump administration is dragging the world down with it. With the help of corporate-funded policy-makers, corporations are boldly grabbing all the resources they can, dismantling every small protection gained by the people of our nation over the years. While Wall Street controls our federal government and the planet burns with unprecedented heat, 28 million Americans are thrown out of health coverage. And the same law that takes away our healthcare gives another $30 billion in tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%. Public education is being privatized, the EPA eliminated, millions of workers are threatened with deportation, racists are emboldened, and our police forces are militarized .Wall Street and the banks are set free from the limited restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act and continue their predation on the American people."
"People are frustrated everywhere and at a loss. The times are ripe for organizing," she added. McLaughlin has been visiting residents of cities throughout California, from San Diego to Redding, encouraging everyone to develop local political power. Many communities are beginning to form corporate-free, inclusive, multi-party, grassroots organizations that run corporate-free candidates for local office following the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) model. During her visits, McLaughlin shares the experiences that made Richmond's transformation under her leadership a success.
"California is resisting a bit more, but nothing is guaranteed for people unless we organize. The insurance companies and big-pharma just killed this year's effort for single payer universal health care. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon demonstrated once again what happens when you elect a representative who is not corporate-free. Corporate money is both toxic and addictive, and our democracy needs to get clean and sober."
McLaughlin said that her organizing campaign is being done with Richmond in mind and heart; many statewide policies affecting Richmond can only change with statewide pressure coming from many cities, communities, and coalitions of labor unions, community organizations and corporate-free organized activists.
McLaughlin has served nearly thirteen years on the Richmond City Council (2004-2017), eight years (2006-2014) as Richmond mayor. Her last day in office will be July 18th, 2017. "I'm leaving city government in good hands," she said as she expressed her gratitude to the City Council and the residents. "Richmond is much better now."
For more information visit: www.gayleforcalifornia.org
For press coverage of previous years (2007-2017)
visit: www.gayleforcalifornia.org/gm_media_2007_2016
For more information, contact: Gayle@gayleforcalifornia.org |
