Hadley Named Manhattan Beach Mayor After Debate
Dec 02, 2020 03:54PM ● By Jeanne FratelloManhattan Beach Mayor Suzanne Hadley - photo via City of Manhattan Beach
What might have been a routine vote followed weeks of public debate, including petitions, emails, social media posts, and other discussion about Hadley's tenure and the tradition of mayoral succession in Manhattan Beach.
Emails, Social Media Posts Create Drama
Montgomery continued: "Council Member Stern was smart to put it on the agenda. That gives us to a chance to share the tradition of mayoral transition... This is an appropriate discussion to have and now is the time to do it."
Council Members Hash It Out
Some critics had painted the transition question as a partisan issue, as Council Members Stern and Hersman had been the first and second on the motion to discuss the mayoral succession.
Hersman spoke out to clarify that issue on Tuesday: "The issue of the mayoral rotation came up because many residents reached out to say they were concerned about Council Member Hadley's ability to lead during a pandemic."
"Having a discussion on this matter didn’t seem like a radical idea," Hersman continued. "We discuss everything we vote on. Many views [we received] were about the process, [saying] 'It’s a tradition and shouldn’t be changed.' But this decision requires a vote. If we wanted it to be automatic, we would have made it that way. Some people have demanded that we remove the item from the agenda. Why is a transparent discussion so threatening to so many in our community?"
Hersman said she had heard from residents who were concerned that Hadley had rocky relations with county officials, was not grasping the severity of the pandemic, had made it harder for the school board to do their job, and had made comments on social media inappropriate for a sitting council member.
"She says she wants to unify the community. I do hope that can be done, because I've never seen our community as split apart in divisiveness as we are now. We all have to work together to make it through this pandemic," said Hersman.
Stern also spoke out about the criticism about having the item on the agenda. "Protecting health and safety isn’t partisan; coronavirus isn’t political. Truly, if we didn’t have this conversation, that would be silencing views. Is that divisive? It would be if we weren't listening to residents. We listen and we discuss especially when dealing with health and safety. Why should we not listen this time?"
Stern then addressed Hadley: "Suzanne, you rightfully have dedicated support in Manhattan Beach, as you should. We have heard from so many people who recognize your intelligence and energy. So now I ask you to address the concerns of the many who have contacted us. I’ll paraphrase those concerns: Will you continue to ignore advice of health experts and defy orders? ... How will you repair relations with the school district? How will you approach the governor, state representatives, and county government officials whom you have openly criticized? The stakes feel very high to our community. Please speak to the residents who are concerned about their health and safety. If we just followed an automatic process, those concerns would be ignored. Please assure all of those in Manhattan Beach that you will do so as mayor, especially during this unprecedented time."
Once the concerns were aired, however, it appeared that the council would move forward together in support of Hadley.
"I am concerned about the mayorship for the reasons mentioned; on the other hand I am concerned about divisiveness in our community," said Hersman. "I have decided to support Suzanne for mayor - not because of tradition, not because of things she did - but because I support what she says she will say and do. She has to recognize many will be unhappy, but she has to be willing to heal the wounds she has created."
Montgomery made the motion to support Hadley as mayor, and Councilmember Steve Napolitano seconded the motion.
"I wish I could make everyone happy, but it's nature of this job. Some folks are going to be unhappy with the result. There's only one person who can fix this situation, and that is Suzanne Hadley," said Napolitano.
"I am humbled for the motion [Montgomery] made," Hadley said, "and I am thrilled to have the second of Steve Napolitano. Nancy and Hildy, I have heard what you said. Nancy, I will miss you and I am grateful for your vote. I am tickled pink that we will find ourselves on the same side on this vote. Hildy and Nancy, I love discussions, I love open debate, and I'm gratified that you brought forward concerns of the community."
Following the 5-0 vote for Hadley as mayor, Councilmember Hildy Stern was then confirmed as Mayor Pro Tem, or next in line for mayor under the current rotation.