LA PALMA

By a 4-1 vote last week--and to the dismay of then-Mayor Pro Tem Paul F. Walker--the City Council named Kenneth A. Blake the city’s new mayor.

Walker, 38, who was elected to the council in 1996, suggested that political motives kept him from the job. The Laguna Niguel firefighter bid for the 4th District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, but fell short in the primary. He then supported candidate Lou Lopez, who fell to Cynthia P. Coad in the race. Walker implied that those moves may have influenced the council’s decision.

The council majority cited his lack of involvement in community events.

Blake, who also served as mayor two years ago, echoed Walker’s statements, saying the community doesn’t favor politicians and Walker’s supervisorial bid and lack of community involvement hurt his mayoral chances.

Council member Alta E. Duke will now assume the mayor pro tem duties.