South El Monte : Impasse Over Mayor’s Job

The City Council may alter the way it fills the rotating post of mayor after three council members balked last week at appointing Councilman Raul Pardo as mayor.

“He’s immature,” Councilman Art Olmos said in explaining why he, Councilman Al Perez and Mayor Tim Kelly voted against Pardo. Pardo accused the three of running a “crony system.”

The dispute was another instance of the bickering between Pardo, an outspoken council critic elected two years ago, and the three council veterans. The impasse left Kelly as interim mayor.

The problem erupted after Vice Mayor Olmos, who was next in line, turned down the mayor’s job because of other commitments, leaving only Pardo eligible.

Meanwhile, the city attorney was directed to report on whether the council can alter its rules to select someone else as mayor. The current rules, devised by Kelly and passed by the council, provide that every council member is assured of a one-year stint as mayor.