City Moves Four-ward with John McTaggart
By Josh Cohen News Staff Writer
RPV -- If the third time is a charm, is number four a blessing? Ask Rancho Palos Verdes' latest mayor, John McTaggart, who was installed in that position by his fellow council members Tuesday for an unprecedented fourth time.
McTaggart was welcomed by a packed house at Hesse Park council chambers, filled with a crowd of residents, commission and committee members and local elected officials, including L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe.
In addition to McTaggart's ascension, Councilman Doug Stern was named mayor pro tem, new council members Larry Clark and Peter Gardiner were sworn into office and the city said goodbye to Marilyn Lyon, who served on the council for the past eight years.
The only surprise of the evening was Stern's nominating McTaggart for mayoralty after hinting to the News that he might not support the 19-year incumbent's bid at all. Another local newspaper had speculated weeks ago that a power struggle may have been brewing within the council, with Clark's unseating of then-Mayor Lyon in November's election acting as a catalyst for a changing of the old guard.
Tuesday, however, Stern was wholly supportive of McTaggart becoming mayor.
"In the history of mankind, there is only one person who has served as either mayor or mayor pro tem for the city of Rancho Palos Verdes for eight times," said Stern. "I think it would be sheer folly to not take advantage of that experience.
"I also think it would be most unfair to that person," Stern continued, "to not give him the opportunity to get it right."
Stern won the mayor pro tem seat in a unanimous vote, although McTaggart and Barbara Ferraro were allowed to change their votes originally cast for Ferraro.
"You're my right-hand man," McTaggart said to Stern. "If I get hit by a bus, you have to run in front of it. But don't go out and buy a bus."
Still riding the grass-roots wave of support that won them seats in November, Clark and Gardiner were greeted by the audience with a standing ovation after taking their oaths.
Lyon was thanked by fellow council members and Knabe for her service to the city, including two stints as mayor.
"Obviously, Marilyn and I go back many years -- pre-political days and working with some community organizations together -- and I've always appreciated your leadership and your friendship. You're a class act," said Knabe.
"I want to thank you personally for your 10 years of devotion to the city," said McTaggart. "Thanks for all you've done. You can show everybody that you were a mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes, and I think that's quite an honor."
"It's been a great honor serving you," said Lyon. "Some people are called to duty to give public service and I was one of those people, and I was lucky enough to give my service in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. I've truly enjoyed it."