LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday bid farewell to one of its members, welcomed a new one and the return of two incumbents, and chose its leadership for the coming year.
In the Nov. 3 election, David Claffey was elected to his first term and Joyce Overton to her fifth. Their names appeared on the ballot while appointed incumbent Russell Perdock was a write-in candidate. He won another term.
Claffey is taking the seat held for the past four years by businessman Phil Harris, who decided not to run for reelection.
During the council’s Thursday night meeting, Mayor Russ Cremer stepped down from the dais for a farewell presentation in which he thanked Harris for his service. During his term, Harris served a year as vice mayor.
Harris said he appreciated all of the votes he received from the community and the faith that they put in him to help lead the city.
Over the past four years, Harris said they’ve seen an improvement in the community. “We are on a trajectory, a successful trajectory, and we’re headed somewhere great,” he said.
Harris said it was a great opportunity for Claffey to take his seat on the council. He then received a standing ovation from his council colleagues and staff.
Harris returned to the dais briefly so the council could consider the final election results, presented to them by City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Melissa Swanson.
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten moved to approve the results, which Harris seconded and the council approved unanimously.
Harris then rose to leave, embracing Cremer and Overton, and shaking the hands of both Slooten and Perdock as he departed.
Swanson then administered the oath of office to Claffey, Overton and Perdock, and Claffey took his seat with the council.
During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the council met Inky, a 1-year-old shepherd mix dog available for adoption from Clearlake Animal Control, who made his appearance before the council in a red Christmas sweater.
They also got an update from Retail Strategies, which is working to recruit new business to the city, held a brief discussion in which they decided against signing onto a letter the Board of Supervisors sent to the governor two weeks ago because its concerns about COVID-19 tiers are already out of date, and approved a hiring bonus and referral program for city employees.
After that main business was finished, the council then turned to its leadership for 2021.
Cremer, who has served back-to-back terms as mayor, offered his support for Slooten becoming the next mayor. “Vice Mayor Slooten has been training for this position for a year and eight months now.”
The council voted to appoint Slooten as mayor for 2021, following up with voting for Perdock as vice mayor.
Slooten thanked Cremer for his leadership and for guiding the council through some delicate votes.
Perdock said he’s looking forward to the year ahead. “We have a lot of work to do.”
“A lot of exciting work,” added Slooten.
Cremer agreed that there are exciting but challenging times ahead, but added that he believed they will be up to the task.
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Newly elected Clearlake City Council members take oaths; Slooten selected as mayor
- Elizabeth Larson
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