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With a gleeful quip - "So, back in the saddle," - Sonoma City Councilmember Ken Brown took over as mayor for the second time in his three-term political career and settled quickly into deftly managing the Wednesday night council meeting.

Brown's elevation to the honorary position followed a sometimes emotional, occasionally tear-stained, changing of the guard, as one-term council member, former mayor and volunteer extraordinaire Stanley Cohen bid farewell after choosing to give up his seat. Outgoing Mayor Joanne Sanders received a commemorative gavel, and she and newcomer Laurie Gallian were sworn in as the only candidates to file for the two council seats open this year. Steve Barbose was chosen to be Mayor Pro Tem. Both Sanders and Gallian were appointed to their seats after a 3-2 vote by the council in August to suspend the election when no other candidates came forth by the filing deadline. The decision set off howls of protest from critics who wanted the opportunity for write-in candidates to file, as allowed by state law.

Sanders' tie-breaking vote to suspend the election was buttressed by a legal opinion from City Attorney Tom Curry who said the action would involve no legal conflict of interest. But someone complained to the Sonoma County Grand Jury about cancellation of the election and the jury, by coincidence or design, released a report critical of the decision on the eve of Wednesday's swearing-in ceremonies. That report (see related story, this page) charged the council majority with "tainting" the political process.

But during Wednesday night's meeting the only reference to the Grand Jury came during public comments when council-watcher and two-time candidate Sam DiGiacomo angrily exclaimed, "Tonight you are making history and it's not positive. Those born and raised in Sonoma," he added, "should be outraged. It's a sad chapter in Sonoma history."

Most of the sadness Wednesday night, along with a good deal of laughter and applause, was reserved for Stanley Cohen who thanked, and was thanked by the countless people he has worked with and helped as both volunteer and council member since his arrival in Sonoma in 1997. Before surrendering her mayoral gavel, Sanders told Cohen to look into the faces in the audience so he could see "the fine people you have worked with, (who are here) to show you how much they appreciate what you have done."

Sanders said she "estimated conservatively" that Cohen has contributed 6,000 hours of volunteer time over the last four years, and told him, "I know you enjoyed every single minute as a council member. Please don't be a stranger."

A parade of speakers heaped more praise on Cohen, including Wendy Peterson, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau who recalled Cohen's stints as a docent greeter and spoke of how surprised tourists were to be welcomed by the mayor.

Amy O'Gorman, with the League of California Cities, thanked Cohen for his support and friendship and his lobbying efforts on behalf of local services, and Vintage House director Cindy Scarborough thanked him for "your incredible support for non-profits and non-profit funding. You really make a difference."

Former council member and mayor Larry Barnett praised, "a certain selfless quality that he's brought to this job. It's never been about Stanley, it's been about what he can do for the community."

Then council members took turns praising Cohen. Aug Sebastiani said of Cohen's service, "no better word sums it all up than dedication." Steve Barbose praised Cohen's "evolution as a council member," observed, "You have raised the bar to a scary level," and joked, "You love to know secret stuff. I don't know how you're going to fill that void."

Brown, who was manager of the Sonoma Community Center when Cohen came to town and immediately volunteered there,  called him "a hero," and said, "Stanley is honest, generous to a fault and there for folks who need him."

On the council, said Brown, "Stanley does not like to make money and then spend it. He is largely responsible for the city being in the black."

Cohen, who confessed he had been pondering his goodbye speech for a month, thanked voters "for the honor and the privilege of being your council member and your mayor." Cohen's thanks ranged from his neighbors who put up his campaign yard signs to all the volunteers of all the nonprofit agencies. "You are there and no one knows you are there."

And he spoke movingly of a moment when city parks foreman Dave Chavoya, who oversees care of the Plaza, took him to the horseshoe in front of City Hall and told him, "Just look at this picture. Just stand here and say nothing. This is ours, this is our responsibility to maintain for all the people."

Cohen told Chavoya, who was standing in the back of the room," Thank you for your advice. Thank you for what you have done for our city."

Cohen recalled the challenge of researching chickens and rabbits, praised some of his council critics, and thanked "my lovely wife Susan ... who pushed me to get involved ... who told me 'get it out of your system' ... (and who) had to remind me that our grandchildren are far more important"  than attending meetings.

With a quavering voice, Cohen concluded, "If I've pushed myself, if I've grown as a person ... it was worth it. It was worth it."

Cohen's farewell was followed by the swearing in of Sanders and Gallian, after which Gallian brushed away her own tears and gave a detailed address about her council priorities and political agenda. She concluded by saying, "I don't want to hide or hold back. I sought this office to make a difference."

The next item of business was selection of the new mayor and mayor pro tem. As expected, Brown was selected unanimously as mayor, and Barbose also received a 5-0 vote for the pro tem position.

Check www.sonomanews.com on Friday for reports on more council actions.

 

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