by Kevin Cody
A special Hermosa Beach Council meeting last Thursday, December 5, to swear in newly elected councilmembers Mike Detoy and Michael Keegan began on a light note when Mayor Dean Francois called for “a peaceful transition of power.”
Councilmember Justin Massey was stepping down after serving two terms.
In a nod to Hermosa’s musical roots, the mayor invited Triple Bueno’s Zeal Levin to lead the packed council chamber in singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The rock singer nailed the anthem, including the high F. Mayor Francois urged the audience to buy Triple Bueno’s soon to be released, debut album.
Councilmember Michael Detoy was sworn in for a second term by his wife Megan. “Politics is a contact sport, but also a family affair,” he said.
Councilmember Michael Keegan was sworn in for a third, though not consecutive, term by City Clerk Myra Maravilla. Keegan was elected to the council in 2001, and again in 2005, but was denied a third term in 2009.
Keegan thanked Redondo Beach Councilmember Todd Lowenstein for recommending he send out oversized campaign mailers, which he credited with getting him reelected.
“They make great dinner placemats,” Keegan quipped.
Keegan also thanked the three incumbent council members for their warm welcome.
“I’m looking forward to exchanging new ideas in a friendly and gentlemanly way,” Councilmember Rob Saemann told Keegan.
“A tip of the hat to all who rolled up your sleeves and ran. I applaud all of you on a good fight. Congrats to Mike and Mike,” Councilmember Raymond Jackson said.
Planning Commissioner David Pederson, in his first run for elected office, was sworn in as the City Treasurer by his wife Lisa, an artist and psychologist, “who is better known to voters than I am,” Pedersen said. Echoing the Mayor’s opening remarks, Pedersen said the transition to a new city treasurer is proceeding smoothly.
In addition to the swearings-in, civic officials thanked Councilman Justin Massey for his two terms on the Council.
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang was the first to present Massey with a Proclamation of Appreciation.
“You’re probably wondering why the County Assessor is here. It’s because the Mosquito Commissioner had another obligation,” Prang joked. He said he was a West Hollywood Councilmember for 14 years and assured Massey “the only thing better than being a councilmember is being a former councilmember.”
Joey Apodaca, a District Manager for Representative Ted Lieu told Massey, “The Congressman wishes Congress was as well run as the Hermosa City Council.”
Massey recounted the highlights of his two terms, beginning in 2016, with the settlement of a lawsuit that forever bans oil drilling in Hermosa Beach.
He also mentioned the movement he spearheaded toward a carbon neutral Hermosa.
He noted that one third of the city’s nearly 100 vehicles are electric, and that solar panels are being installed on civic facilities.
Massey led the fight to have Hermosa join 40 other cities in the Clean Air Alliance. As a result, he said, 90 percent of Hermosa residents received their electricity from renewable energy sources.
Mayor Francois thanked Massey for his leadership and promised the council will continue his legacy. The packed city chambers gave Massey a standing ovation. ER
