EDITORIAL

There’s clearly no dearth of interest in replacing former Councilman

Dave Garofalo. And with 36 residents vying for the seat, the City Council

faces one of its toughest, and most important, decisions this Saturday.

Council members took a strong first step by making the appointment

process as careful, open and thoughtful as possible. This whole week has

been, and continues to be, filled with interviews of candidates -- from

those who are clear front runners to those who seemingly have little

chance of taking to the dais. Each deserves the same treatment because it

is impossible to say that a political unknown is not the best candidate

for the job. Council members should maintain an open mind and not let

prejudices or past friendships cloud their decision.

The importance of this choice cannot be overstated. This one seat

could very well change the complexion of the council from a historically

pro-development body to one with a decidedly environmental bent. With

water-quality issues, Bolsa Chica’s future and always controversial

development, such as the fracas around the Wal-Mart, looming before the

council, an added environmental voice could drastically alter the

direction of the city.

Those issues, of course, are just the hot ones facing the city. There

is mostly mundane work to be done -- the approval of budgets or road

construction -- and our council members, who know this truth all too

well, ought to consider who best can weigh those decisions with a steady

hand.

There also is the unavoidable topic of the resignation of Garofalo to

consider. With many residents skeptical of our city government following

Garofalo’s guilty plea to conflict of interest charges, council members

must make it clear that they are holding themselves and their newest

colleague to the highest possible standards. Their choice will go a great

distance toward restoring faith in our closest form of government.

Finally, to our future newest council member: Take your job seriously,

make the decisions you believe are best for the city and always remember

it is Surf City’s residents you serve.

The rest should be easy.