The City of Solana Beach had two open Council seats in the November election: Tom Campbell was retiring and incumbent Democrat Mike Nichols filed to run for re-election. Three other candidates pulled papers to run against Nichols and for Campbell’s seat:
1- Ginger Marshall, the endorsed Republican candidate.
2- Patrick Germon, an independent businessman
3- Shannon Lerach, a newcomer to Solana Beach with long time ties to the Democratic establishment
Nichols, Marshall and Lerach qualified for the ballot and Germon decided to run in 2016. Lerach pulled out of the race on the last filing day, leaving only Democrat Nichols and Republican Marshall qualified for the two empty seats.
The Solana Beach Council had until August 21, 2014 to appoint both Marshall and Nichols to the Council or an election would be held in November, leaving room for write-in candidates. The Council called for a special meeting, at 5:00PM on August 20, 2014, to vote on appointment.
Nichols was seen as a particularly weak candidate. An incumbent, with strong ties to the far left members Zito, Zahn and Heebner, Nichols’ vote to let the bluffs fall into the ocean had property rights voters mad.
The Council deliberated on the issue then took a vote. The retiring Campbell and Zito voted to hold the election. Heebner and Zahn voted to appoint Nichols and Marshall, citing a cost savings of $5,000-$10,000. The Council was deadlocked.
Nichols checked with the City Attorney to see if his vote would present a conflict of interest–he was informed it did not. Nichols served his last term (2010-2014) as an appointed rather than elected Council member. While he enjoyed the advantage of incumbency, a write-in candidate could have challenged the vulnerable Council member.
Nichols broke the deadlock and, for the second time in four years, voted to appoint himself to another four-year term.
PS– Neighboring Del Mar was faced with a similar dilemma. Incumbent Republican Terry Sinnott was appointed by the Council rather than elected. Sinnott voted to hold an election.
Comments 3
Not surprised. Democrats have no honor and rarely do the right thing. These are not the moderate John F. Kennedy Democrats of long ago. These are hard core leftists who will do anything to get and keep power. They are who we thought they were.
Give the guy a break, he just voted the way Lesa Heebner told him to.
As usual.
Author
Funny but true