New council seated

Monday was a night of farewells and new beginnings for the Orland City Council.

It said goodbye to Mayor Wade Elliott who came to his last council meeting, and it said hello to his replacement — veteran Councilwoman Salina Edwards — who was elected Nov. 6 following several years absence from the council.

Elliott did not seek re-election 2012 following four years on the council.

"I want to thank you — the citizens of Orland, for letting me serve," Elliott told the audience.

He recalled "knocking on every door in Orland," Elliott said, when seeking office in 2008. "I even found some of you home."

He said he left residents a little card with his name and the slogan "Let's move Orland forward together."

Elliott added he thinks he and the council did that, which is why he gave up his seat.

The outgoing mayor thanked Councilman Jim Paschall for his help.

Paschall gave him encouragement, Elliott said, and told him when he was being an idealist.

He thanked Councilman Bruce Roundy as well.

"Bruce, we didn't agree on every situation," Elliott said, "but we did agree on the importance of serving on the council."

He added it was a pleasure to serve with Santa Claus, AKA Councilman Dennis Hoffman, and he appreciated Vice Mayor Charles Gee's encouraging him to "think simply about complicated things."

Gee later presented him with a certificate of appreciation.

With that, Elliott left the dais and later said he had to leave to do a "date night" with his wife.

City Clerk Angela Crook then swore in Edwards along with Roundy and Paschall, who also were re-elected to another four years on the council.

Once the new council was seated, Gee was elected mayor for 2013 and Hoffman elected Vice Mayor.

Edwards, Paschall and Roundy did not say much about serving — except to indicate they were happy to return to the council or continue their journey.

Crook also was sworn in by City Treasurer Pamela Otterson to another four-year term.

Both women ran unopposed in 2012.

Edwards asked about the "right of succession" should a council member resign or be unable to fulfill his or her term.

She wondered if that should be listed in Orland's city code, she said.

City Attorney Greg Einhorn told her that is covered by California government code.

In the case of a vacancy, the council can appoint a resident within 30 days to serve the unexpired term or set the matter to the next scheduled election.

It does not necessarily have to have a special election, Einhorn said.

To let it wait two years will not work, Paschall said.

"That's why we appoint," Roundy said.

The appointee can fill the unexpired term or serve until the election comes around, Einhorn said.