By Susan Motander
During his election campaign, Tom Adams promised that he would change things at Monrovia City Hall.He made his first change on Tuesday night shortly after being sworn in as mayor.Pointing out that it was only by tradition that City Council member assignments were for two years, he changed that to 12-month assignments only.
Adams cited the relatively “young” nature of the council as the reason for the change.He noted that Council Members Larry Spicer and Alexander Blackburn had been on the council for only two years and that Gloria Crudgington was beginning her first term.The fifth member of the council, Becky Shevlin, had been appointed six years ago to complete the term of Mary Ann Lutz when she was elected mayor. Shevlin was subsequently elected four years ago and then again last month.Adams has served on the council for the last 21 years.
Council members serve on many boards, committees, and councils on the federal, state, and regional levels in addition as acting as liaison to various city boards and commissions. These appointments give the council members access to addition information and give the community greater access to the council.
After announcing the change, Adams asked for a motion that Spicer be appointed Mayor Pro Tem for the ensuing 12 months.It was so moved with the remainder of the council all attempting to second the motion, which passed unanimously.
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In addition to Adams taking the oath of office, newly elected Council Member Crudgington and reelected Council Member Shevlin were also sworn in.Both expressed gratitude for the support they had received. Crudgington said simply, “I am so humbled.”She explained that she had never planned to run for the council seat, but that “I wanted a preservationist sitting up here; I just didn’t want it to be me.”She also promised that she was not a politician and promised not to become one.
Shevlin also expressed appreciation for the support she had received and reiterated that she had not accepted endorsements from anyone, saying that she was not indebted to anyone but the voters. Shevlin also said, “The best thing about Monrovia is we have always come together and work together.”
This sentiment was reiterated by Spicer when he made his council remarks saying, “I know we are going to move this city forward as long as we work as a team.”
The meeting was not all joyful beginnings; there was also the farewell to the former mayor, Mary Ann Lutz.She was first elected as a council member in 2003 and served two and a half terms as a council member before being elected mayor six years ago.Several people rose to praise Lutz and thank her for the things that were accomplished while she was mayor.
Charlotte Schamadan praised her leadership while Peter Hoffman thanked her for her work to bring the Gold Line rail service through the city.Joanne Spring thanked her for her continual support of the young people in the community and for working with the School District on several cooperative programs. Theresa Real Sebastian also thanked Lutz for her work regionally, especially in regard to the federally mandated storm water runoff.
Lutz’s own remarks were very emotional, at times she almost seemed to be in tears.She pointed out many of the improvements that had occurred during her years as mayor and on the council.She reiterated the problems the city had overcome including gang violence, windstorms, wildfire, state and federal mandates, and the tool redevelopment.“We dug deep and we got through it,” she said.
She concluded her comments saying, “I am profoundly saddened that I will no longer be a part of the team” and thanked the community for “the opportunity to lead this city we all love.”
