New City Council Takes Over in Oxnard

Chief Jeri Wilson

By Peggy Hunt

What does it take to put a city at the top in these tough times? A leader must  have the ability to create opportunity and awesome results out of turmoil. On  Thursday, December 2, Oxnard Mayor Holden called a 7 p.m. emergency meeting. The  meeting would take place behind closed doors. Rumors were flying about the  mayor's choice for Oxnard Police Chief. The mayor's choice was allegedly the  current assistant police chief.

Ed Sotelo, Oxnard City Manager had already appointed Jeri Wilson, an African  American female who is assistant police chief in Phoenix, AZ.

The mayor announced before going behind closed doors, "There appears to be some  confusion here. This special meeting was called specifically to evaluate the  performance of Oxnard City Manager Ed Sotelo, not about the new police chief. I  am excited and looking forward to working with her. This meeting is about the  poor performance of the City Manager Ed Sotelo."

During this week's City Council meeting, former Councilman Dean Maulhardt and  former Mayor Pro Tem Andres Herrera were honored for their service to the  community. Herrea and Mauldhardt were defeated by Tim Flynn and Carmen Ramirez.  After the swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Holden said, "This is not the community  that I left. After I had children, I became more passionate about life and more  concerned about the city that my wife and I are raising our kids in. I am very  passionate about Oxnard and will work hard to make this a better place for all  the citizens of Oxnard. It has truly been a pleasure for me to service this  community. People come up to you because you have made a difference. Our  families are safer, our city is cleaner and our lives are better. While the  council members may disagree on certain topics, there's full agreement on the  top issues for 2011."

"I am looking forward to restoring the public trust in Oxnard government," said  Flynn. "The City Managers Authority has gone unchecked. Families must have  relief and we must takes steps to ensure that relief is forth coming to the  Citizens of Oxnard."

After the swear-in ceremony, Mayor Holden made history by appointing Dr. Irene  Pinkard as Mayor Pro Tem, the first African American female to ever serve in  that position.

"It has been a pleasure working with Herrera and Maulhardt. People don't  understand how much they care about this city and its people," said Dr. Irene  Pinkard, Mayor Pro Tem. "I would also like to thank them for embarrassing me  when I came on board. They were always there when I called or had a question. I  wish them both well."

"It has truly been a pleasure for me to service this community. People come up  to you because you have made a difference. Our families are safer, our city is  cleaner and our lives are better," said Mayor Holden.

When Chief Scott Whitney was asked what he thought about Cheif Williams he said,  "We are looking forward to working with Chief Jeri Williams. She will bring many  positive attributes and a skill set that will allow us to continue to build upon  our success. Assistant Chief Benites and I are in daily contact with her so she  will be ready to go from day one," said Scott Whitney, Assistant Chief, Field  Services Bureau.

At press time, an unknown source said, Ed Sotelo had filed a harassment  complaint against Mayor Tom Holden and Mayor Pro Tem Andres.

What does it take to put a city at the top in these tough times? A leader must  have the ability to create opportunity and awesome results out of turmoil. On  Thursday, December 2, Oxnard Mayor Holden called a 7 p.m. emergency meeting. The  meeting would take place behind closed doors. Rumors were flying about the  mayor's choice for Oxnard Police Chief. The mayor's choice was allegedly the  current assistant police chief.

Ed Sotelo, Oxnard City Manager had already appointed Jeri Wilson, an African  American female who is assistant police chief in Phoenix, AZ.

The mayor announced before going behind closed doors, "There appears to be some  confusion here. This special meeting was called specifically to evaluate the  performance of Oxnard City Manager Ed Sotelo, not about the new police chief. I  am excited and looking forward to working with her. This meeting is about the  poor performance of the City Manager Ed Sotelo."

During this week's City Council meeting, former Councilman Dean Maulhardt and  former Mayor Pro Tem Andres Herrera were honored for their service to the  community. Herrea and Mauldhardt were defeated by Tim Flynn and Carmen Ramirez.  After the swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Holden said, "This is not the community  that I left. After I had children, I became more passionate about life and more  concerned about the city that my wife and I are raising our kids in. I am very  passionate about Oxnard and will work hard to make this a better place for all  the citizens of Oxnard. It has truly been a pleasure for me to service this  community. People come up to you because you have made a difference. Our  families are safer, our city is cleaner and our lives are better. While the  council members may disagree on certain topics, there's full agreement on the  top issues for 2011."

"I am looking forward to restoring the public trust in Oxnard government," said  Flynn. "The City Managers Authority has gone unchecked. Families must have  relief and we must takes steps to ensure that relief is forth coming to the  Citizens of Oxnard."

After the swear-in ceremony, Mayor Holden made history by appointing Dr. Irene  Pinkard as Mayor Pro Tem, the first African American female to ever serve in  that position.

"It has been a pleasure working with Herrera and Maulhardt. People don't  understand how much they care about this city and its people," said Dr. Irene  Pinkard, Mayor Pro Tem. "I would also like to thank them for embarrassing me  when I came on board. They were always there when I called or had a question. I  wish them both well."

"It has truly been a pleasure for me to service this community. People come up  to you because you have made a difference. Our families are safer, our city is  cleaner and our lives are better," said Mayor Holden.

When Chief Scott Whitney was asked what he thought about Cheif Williams he said,  "We are looking forward to working with Chief Jeri Williams. She will bring many  positive attributes and a skill set that will allow us to continue to build upon  our success. Assistant Chief Benites and I are in daily contact with her so she  will be ready to go from day one," said Scott Whitney, Assistant Chief, Field  Services Bureau.

At press time, an unknown source said, Ed Sotelo had filed a harassment  complaint against Mayor Tom Holden and Mayor Pro Tem Andres.

• < Prev in National
• Next in National >