No Snub -- Boulgarides Becomes Mayor

The Culver City Council unanimously elected veteran Councilman James D. Boulgarides mayor by acclamation Tuesday, quashing fears that he would be passed over for the honorary post for the second year in a row.

Traditionally, the mayor’s post goes to the council member who has the most seniority and who has not served as mayor for the longest time.

Last year, although it was Boulgarides’ turn, a council majority of Mike Balkman, Jozelle Smith and Paul A. Jacobs made Jacobs mayor instead in what critics called a power play by the pro-development council members.

“I had no idea what to expect,” Boulgarides said of this year’s selection. “I’m very pleased. I look forward to the year, and realize we face some difficult decisions. I think the council’s going to work together to resolve these issues to their best ability and in the best interests of the city.”

In a statement made last year, Smith said she voted for Jacobs because she worried that Boulgarides, a professor at Cal State Los Angeles, was too busy to keep up with the many community appearances demanded of the mayor.

Boulgarides was elected vice mayor instead. Over the course of the year, however, Smith said she saw Boulgarides at every education event, every ribbon cutting, and every event for senior citizens.

“His (level) of participation changed,” she said. “I had no doubts then that he’d be able to do it.”

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Balkman was elected vice mayor, and Steven Gourley was elected chairman of the city’s Redevelopment Agency.