At least a half dozen of San Bernardino County’s municipalities this month and late last month rotated their mayor back to a spot on the city council while elevating another council member to pick up the mayor’s gavel and serve as the presiding officer over their respective city or town council at least for the next 12 months.
In 13 of the county’s 24 cities and incorporated towns – the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino, Adelanto, Barstow and Needles – the mayor is directly elected. In the remaining eleven cities and towns – Chino Hills, Loma Linda, Highland, Redlands, Big Bear, Yucaipa, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms and Victorville – the mayor is not directly elected, and rather that honorific is conferred upon a member of the city council in processes determined by the councils in each individual case.
On December 14, the Apple Valley Town Council voted to appoint Kari Leon as that 73,661-population town’s newest mayor.
On December 7, Brigit Bennington named mayor of Hesperia, where 96,393 people call home.
The Chino Hills City Council on November 23 designated Ray Marquez mayor of Chino Hills, with its 85,081 residents, for the next year.
On December 14, the Twentynine Palms City Council voted Karmolette O’Gilvie in as the mayor in that city of 25,477 strong for the next year.
Jim Schooler was chosen to serve as Yucca Valley town mayor, leading that community of 21,949 for the next 12 months.
In Yucaipa on December 13, the city council chose David Avila to serve as mayor of that city and its 54,649 residents over the coming year.