By Brian Park
Mayor John Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Sam Allevato. Photo by Brian Park
The San Juan Capistrano City Council unanimously elected John Taylor as the new mayor and welcomed back Councilman Sam Allevato and newly elected Councilman Roy Byrnes to the dais Tuesday, but it was the selection of Allevato as the new mayor pro tem, over Councilman Derek Reeve, that drew the council’s first divided vote.
Allevato, who is beginning his third full term on the council and previously served as mayor in 2011 and 2007, was elected mayor pro tem by a 3-2 vote. Councilman Larry Kramer made the initial nomination and was seconded by Taylor.
Prior to the vote, Byrnes nominated Reeve for the position and asked Allevato to consider stepping aside. Byrnes, who previously served on the council from 1972 to 1976, pointed out that all other council members—except Reeve—had prior experience as either mayor or mayor pro tem and that a term as mayor pro tem would benefit Reeve’s growth as a council member.
However, Allevato said he could not turn down the nomination due to Reeve’s critical remarks published in local media outlets during the election season—widely considered to be one of the most contentious in recent memory.
“I can live with differing on issues, but when you are up here, working together collegiately on Tuesday, but you read in the paper, on Tuesday or Friday, personal attacks on your character from that same person, that does not breed camaraderie,” Allevato said.
Taylor agreed with Allevato.
“We don’t always agree on things but then we do see things in the paper that are puzzling,” Taylor said. “That always kind of bothered me that we would get those types of comments that we wouldn’t see from you in our interactions.”
Councilman Derek Reeve. Photo by Brian Park
Reeve and Byrnes are known to share critical views on such local issues as the controversial Groundwater Recovery Plant and the city’s license agreement with Blenheim Facility Management for use of the city-owned Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Reeve supported Byrnes’ campaign, and although he acknowledged his comments during the election season, within that context, he said, it was “a two-way street.”
“In the course of our relations on the dais, I thought I’d been nothing but respectful. Truthfully, I don’t feel it’s gone the other way in every instance,” Reeve said. “But we’re grown men. I’m thick-skinned. It’s like water off the back of a duck for me.”
Kramer said he could not support Reeve because of their conflicting views on a number of issues and added that he would like to see Reeve become more involved with outside agencies and regional boards.
Reeve responded by saying he had previously prepared to participate but felt he never had the opportunity.
“Maybe it was a misunderstanding. In the past, Sam put me on one committee that was scheduled to terminate, so that was really beyond my control.”
Reeve also said he was concerned with how Allevato’s selection would be perceived by the voters who supported Byrnes and him.
“I feel in some respects it’s a slap in the face to them and that we’re really not rotating among the five council members. It’s really all just three of you,” Reeve said.
Councilman Roy Byrnes. Photo by Brian Park
Byrnes closed the council’s comments by saying he was surprised to see such frank discussion between council members.
“This is the new look. Transparency. We no longer discuss these things the way we used to in the backroom,” Byrnes said. “Everybody has expressed themselves, and I hope we can just accept the views we’ve had and accept what we think and try to improve.
Every council member receives a form from the City Clerk asking what outside committee they would be interested in serving on. Mr. Reeve left his form blank.
The opportunity was there.
Come on Jonathan, you know he would have been lucky to get vector control.
As mayor, I was denied every commission by my colleagues as a slap on the face for publicly disagreeing with all of them on one thing or another.
Lon
I am guessing that it was left blank because he was willing to serve on any commission that he was appointed to. He was not choosey. Just happy to serve the residents.
But then, I am sorry that you feel you are required to see something so negative as someone who is willing to serve on whatever they were appointed to. But then again, you are a paid publicist and this is what you do for a living
The best man for the Job has been elected Mayor of the fine city of San Juan Capistrano.
John is Honest,Open,has a High Degree of Integrity, He has No Hidden Agendas. He wants what the Community wants…good Governance and Leadership! John can deliver that and Much More!
From North Idaho I say “CONGRATS” to John Taylor
John Corcoran
I am happy that you think that John Taylor is a good man. However, the Fair Political Practices Commission has a totally different view. The have issued a written warning to Mr. Taylor for violating the Conflict of Interest laws. In fact, the letter states that the next time he does so, he could be fined up to $5,000.00.
Here is a link to the letter: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/enf_letter/05-29-12/ENF046.PDF#search=“john taylor”
I attended last night’s council meeting and was appalled by the lack of civility displayed by the three ranch-sponsored council members. I thought Kramer’s comments about Reeve’s lack of participation in outside agencies to be particularly insensitive given Derek’s lack of mobility because of his physical disabilities. I know Derek and I admire his fortitude in just getting through another day. As some of you readers may not know, Derek is a paraplegic who is unable to move either his arms or legs. He is confined to a wheelchair every hour of every day.
To disqualify Derek from the honorary position of mayor pro tem because of his disability is the height of hypocrisy on Kramer’s part and Allevato is just getting even for Derek’s criticism of Sam during the election.
Such petty partisanship makes the three “ranch hands” look silly compared to the courage shown by Derek Reeve in raising to the level of academic achievement of being a lawyer, a professor and a gentlemen.
@ Mr. Perry, speaking of petty partisanship, I was sitting close enough to you to hear you say, immediately after Sam was made Mayor Pro Tem, “This means war”. @ Clint, I am guessing that if, as you say, Derek was willing to serve on any commission, he would have checked them all instead of leaving them all blank.
Sad to see our new council is acting like Congress already. Fighting over silly items that do nothing for the residents, business owners, tourists or our city. Politics as usual. Its also said to see the same people fighting by comments listed above.