Mayor Angers Council by Naming Ally as Pro Tem

OXNARD —  Mayor Manuel Lopez outraged fellow council veterans this week when he reappointed political ally John Zaragoza to the position of mayor pro tem.

Lopez said he decided to keep all appointments the same to help the city continue running smoothly.

“The mayor has a lot of confidence in me,” Zaragoza said after Tuesday’s reappointment. “He figures, why change the makeup of the City Council.”

But Lopez’s decision has created a divisive, three-against-two atmosphere, said Councilman Tom Holden.

“As far back as I’m personally aware, the mayor pro tem has been separated out from political agendas,” Holden said. “Based on past practices, I was very surprised at the mayor’s appointment.”

Traditionally, the ceremonial position that functions as vice mayor goes to the most senior member of the council who has not already held the post. Lopez ruffled feathers two years ago when he appointed Zaragoza, then in his first council term, to the position.

Holden and Councilman Dean Maulhardt now have equal seniority. Councilman Bedford Pinkard has more tenure, but has held the position in the past. Maulhardt and Pinkard were equally terse and declined to comment further on the issue. “It’s the mayor’s choice,” Maulhardt said.

The mayor pro tem presides over council meetings or attends official city functions whenever the mayor is unavailable.

Zaragoza “has been super in that regard,” Lopez said. “The nature of his business allows him to do that.”

Holden said he or one of the other more senior members could just as easily have rearranged their work schedules to accommodate city business, but they were not asked.

“Ultimately, what you’re trying to accomplish is creating good will on the council,” Holden said. “There are certain ceremonial appointments that have a protocol.”

Zaragoza, who operates his own tax preparation business, said he was surprised and proud to be renamed to the position.

“Any council member can do a good job as mayor pro tem,” he said. “I’m just honored to be that person.”

The mayor, who is elected separately from the other council members, has discretion on who to appoint mayor pro tem.

“That’s his call, to name the mayor pro tem that he feels confident with,” said Zaragoza, who said he hopes the decision will not cause a rift with his council colleagues. “They’ve never shared with me how they feel.”

If the reappointment offended anyone, “it certainly wasn’t my intention to do that,” Lopez said.

But Lopez’s politicization of the position has not fostered a spirit of cooperation and fairness, maintains Holden.

“When different agendas enter the selection process, you risk inviting divisiveness and animosity,” he said. “I don’t think the process goes to creating any new good will.”