By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga had a change in its elected leadership Dec. 2, with the naming of a new mayor and vice mayor and the swearing in of three council members.
Mary-Lynne Bernald, Emily Lo and Rishi Kumar were elected on Nov. 4 and sworn into office on Dec. 3, as council members Jill Hunter and Chuck Page stepped down. Howard Miller was named the new mayor and Manny Cappello was selected as vice mayor.
“As we look forward to the next year, there’s a lot of stuff that needs to go on with the city, and you can’t do it all at once,” Miller said. “This is a year of transition for the city, this group and for the administration of the city, so I think we need to get back to basics.”
He noted that there are flaws in the Saratoga’s budget that need to be ironed out. The city’s method of communication with its residents is another area that he said he’d like to focus on next year.
“We need to find more ways to directly engage our citizens about the facts of what’s going on,” Miller said.
Both Hunter and Page were recognized by their colleagues for their service and showered with gifts that ran the gamut of keys to the city, flowers, a framed sketch of the Village and community center, and commendations.
Hunter thanked city staff members and her husband, Dennis, and said it’s been an honor for her to serve eight years on the city council and lead a community she’s called home for decades.
“I never dreamed in my life that that would happen, especially in my 70s,” she said.
The proudest moment for her, Hunter said, was hiring James Lindsay, who now serves as Saratoga’s city manager, as the city’s community development director.
“I hope he stays with us for many years, because he’s going to make Saratoga so proud,” said Hunter.
Page, too, said it was an honor to serve on the council.
“It just means so much to have the honor to sit before you and make decisions,” he said. “I’ve had a great time, and I hope we can continue working together in the future.”
He said he’d made a list of his top 10 memories over the last eight years, but that he’d forgotten it at home. He did recall, however, the moment when Susie Nagpal, a former Saratoga councilwoman who died from lung cancer, first broke the news of her diagnosis to him. On a lighter note, he shared a story about an encounter with an elementary school student during his tenure as mayor who asked Page if he lives in the White House. When he answered “no,” another student followed with, “Then what color is your house?”
He left his successors with advice to be courageous whenever an issue calls for it.
“There are things that council members have to look at and take action,” he said. “We can’t always sit back.”
Members of the new council said they’d miss Hunter and Page’s breadth of experience and presence on the council. Hunter was praised for her love of trees, mentorship, generosity and overflowing spirit, while Page was lauded for his honesty, integrity and willingness to make tough decisions.
The new council members were joined by their families on stage as they took their oath of office. They thanked residents, council colleagues, friends and family for their help during the election.
“I’m actually very delighted to be a part of this amazing bunch here,” Kumar said.
Link: Time for a changing of the guard on the Saratoga City Council
