New San Carlos mayor takes over

"This is an awfully big chair to fill ... this is an unbelievable honor," Doherty said while switching seats with King.

Doherty, a life-long San Carlos resident, has about 15 years of local political experience, including stints on the Planning Commission.

Doherty offered numerous thanks for her accomplishment and ticked off a laundry list of goals for the coming year, including affordable housing and the ongoing debate over synthetic turf on area athletic fields. She emphasized a desire to end meetings by 10:30 p.m. and also offered a theme for the coming year: building community and building trust.

After Doherty accepted the nomination and was confirmed with a unanimous vote she wasted no time in nominating Matt Grocott as vice mayor. The move — "in the spirit of cooperation," Doherty said — was significant in light of last year's reorganization which raised both eyebrows and tempers.

The mayor is not elected separately from the other members of the City Council and the positions of mayor and vice mayor typically are passed down on a seniority scale unless that person declines to accept. King's ascension to mayor last year was smooth but Grocott and Doherty battled to be next in line. Grocott, who is often at odds with the rest of the council, believed he should have the job because, although they joined the council simultaneously, Doherty was finishing out David Buckmaster's unfinished term.

He claimed he was pushed aside because he opposed a parcel tax ballot measure to pay for the South County Fire Authority. King, Councilman Don Eaton and then-mayor Tom Davids denied Grocott was overlooked because of Measure I but backed Doherty.

Grocott himself hinted at the contention often shown between he and the rest of the council by claiming his nomination was a landmark in San Carlos. Like nearly all on the council who spoke about the coming year, Grocott discussed a need to respect divergent opinions. He also joking referred to the mayoral position as "traffic cop."

King's colleagues sang his praises before he switched chairs with Doherty, conspicuously avoiding the current South County Fire Authority scandal brewing in the city. King is currently under investigation by the District Attorney's Office for possibly conspiring with political consultant Peg Collier to fraudulently bill the board.

King's tenure was also colored earlier in year when the District Attorney's Office investigated city contracts with Public Works Director Parviz Mokhtari.

Neither incident was broached last night although Doherty did refer to King's past year as "challenging."

In his outgoing speech, King took time to individually thank councilmembers and city staff for their contributions. He also highlighted city accomplishments including Pacific Hacienda, Hot Harvest nights, the opening of Trader Joe's, the SCOOT shuttle and city employees agreeing to forgo raises in light of ongoing budget difficulties.

He, like Doherty, told the audience the city has a full year ahead of it with proposals for a new medical center, the railroad corridor and ongoing battles with the state over local funds.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.