SEAL BEACH : Wilson Decides to Remain on Council

After announcing last week that she planned to resign at the end of the month, Councilwoman Edna Wilson apparently changed her mind this week.

“Evidently she had a change of heart” on the premise that she only has 11 months to go on her term, City Clerk Joanne M. Yeo said. “She has decided to remain on the council.”

Wilson announced her plans to leave the council after Councilman Joe Hunt resigned last week. The two were on the losing end of 3-2 votes for months as the council bickered over the Hellman Ranch initiative, which the two supported and voters defeated June 4.

Wilson said she was tired of the hostile atmosphere and fighting during council meetings but wanted to remain until the city considered its budget.

She said she was concerned about the possible elimination of funding for a shuttle bus that carries Leisure World residents to the Rossmoor shopping center. City staff members had made a preliminary recommendation to eliminate the bus, but the four council members this week opted to keep it.

“I was all prepared to fight for it,” Wilson said as she left the budget session Monday night. “I didn’t think I would win so easily. Maybe I should stick around after all.”

Wilson has served on the council for seven years, including two terms as mayor.