Councilman Victor Gomez became mayor of Hollister on Monday when
his peers unanimously elected him to the rotating position.
As vice mayor for the past year, Gomez was in line with
tradition to become mayor. He succeeds Councilwoman Eugenia
Sanchez.
During his first year on the council, members appointed Gomez to
the vice mayor role and Sanchez as mayor. On Monday, council
members also appointed Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia as vice
mayor.
Councilman Victor Gomez became mayor of Hollister on Monday when his peers unanimously elected him to the rotating position.
As vice mayor for the past year, Gomez was in line with tradition to become mayor. He succeeds Councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez.
During his first year on the council, members appointed Gomez to the vice mayor role and Sanchez as mayor. On Monday, council members also appointed Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia as vice mayor.
Sanchez had this to say at the meeting after receiving a plaque from the city: “I thank everyone. It was an honor and privilege to serve as the mayor. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”
Gomez on Tuesday said he is “excited to lead” the council, though he acknowledged the position brings no additional power than being seated as a council member.
“I hope, above all, people look at me as accountable for the things that will go on for the next 12 months,” Gomez said.
He noted how being mayor does “help you scoot things along kind of quicker.”
He pointed out how he is almost done with a social-host ordinance that strengthens laws against parents harboring underage drinking activities, and how he might examine how the city can give bar owners “more help with gang activity.”
Gomez noted how he plans to make a state-of-the-city address, outlining his goals for the year, at an upcoming meeting.
“I feel like I bring a different perspective,” he said. “I won’t hold back expressing my feelings on issues.”
Valdivia said she believes Gomez will provide “good leadership” and that he “has a passion for the city.”
“I’m excited to work with him,” she said. “Hopefully, we can enhance each other. I feel really confident as vice chair if there’s anything he needs, he’ll look to me …”
The Hollister mayor is not elected at-large by the entire citizenry, but officials have discussed considering the possibility following the 2010 census. As it stands in the current form of government, the mayor mostly acts as a figurehead while being chairman of the council meetings and appointing peers to various commissions.
Councilman Doug Emerson was absent from Monday’s meeting.
