Former Mayor Larry Herman (l) receives a plaque for his many years of public service by outgoing Mayor Steve Shanahan.
By Larry Caballero
It was politics as usual at the Dec. 7 mayoral transition meeting. Councilmember Ralph Rodriguez had waited five years to serve as La Palma’s Mayor Pro-Tem, and he was finally chosen by a 4-1 vote to become the Mayor for next year. Residents who attended the meeting were surprised that Councilmember Henry Charoen, who was chosen Mayor-Pro-Tem the first year he was elected, cast the lone no vote. When it was time to choose the Mayor Pro-Tem this time, Charoen won by 4 votes when Hwangbo abstained.
Later on the agenda, City staff had recommended the authorization for Mayor Rodriguez and newly elected Councilmember Steve Hwangbo to attend the League of California Cities 2011 New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy, Jan. 19-21 in Sacramento.
Although adequate funds had been budgeted in the city council meetings and training account in the 2010-11 Budget, Charoen voiced opposition to Rodriguez attending the Conference.
“You are experienced enough,” said Charoen. “You could be teaching the session.” Rodriguez reminded Charoen that he serves on a state transportation committee that meets at the same time and location as the Conference, and it has always been standard practice for the Mayor or someone from staff to accompany a newly elected councilmember. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto was unable to attend.
“And if you think I am so experienced, then why did you not vote for me to be Mayor?” said Rodriguez. Charoen did not respond. The vote was 4-1 to allow Rodriguez and Hwangbo to attend the Conference.
It was a bitter sweet moment for termed-out La Palma Councilmember and former Mayor Larry Herman to just walk away after serving four terms--longer than any other councilmember in the City’s history--but he was happy that his friend Steve Hwangbo will be taking his seat on Council.
“The last eight years in particular have been an interesting journey for me,” said Herman, who didn’t always agree with three of his colleagues on Council, “and I want my friend Steve Hwangbo to remember that there is a lot of knowledge and wisdom in my chair.”
Herman hoped that the Council and staff would continue with transparency and accountability in the future, and he made it clear that he wasn’t going away. He plans to continue to volunteer in the City.
Hwangbo is ready to serve. “I know how special our city is, and I am looking forward to representing our wonderful city and working hard to make La Palma an even better place.”
Both officials were not as happy during the recent election when allegations of campaign irregularities ran rampant as opponents of Hwangbo were accused by community leaders of stealing his yard signs and delivering a falsely translated letter to English speaking residents that implied that he would only serve the Korean residents of La Palma.
At the time Herman said, “It appears that racism is alive and well in La Palma.”
Yes LArry
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