City Council Passes Over Lucy Martin, Votes in David Shapiro as Mayor Pro Tem

Following an hour of impassioned pleas in favor of Councilwoman Lucy Martin Wednesday by dozens of Calabasas residents, the City Council nominated and voted for Councilman David Shapiro instead Wednesday.

By tradition, Martin was next up to be nominated as mayor pro tem.

Councilman James Bozajian, who had asked at the March 27 meeting to table the nomination process until this meeting, laid out his main reason for not supporting Martin.

Bozajian said his concerns arose during the council election campaign. Martin, who supported challenger Jody Thomas–whom incumbents had been vocal about her supporters' campaign tactics–had gone door-to-door "telling anyone who would listen that I and the other council members are corrupt...

"I want to make it clear that Councilmember Martin is free to say and do anything she wants during an election cycle ... but she should not expect that having conducted herself in such a manner that I would then turn around and cede her the mayorship," he said before a standing-room only crowd.

He also referenced an email, dated March 19, 2013, which he said he would not release to the public which he found "rude and insulting and only adding to the problem we face tonight."

Councilwoman Mary Sue Maurer, who nominated Shapiro, at first praised Martin's family and told Martin she is "a special person."

She went on to say she is committed to moving the city council forward, "but no matter how difficult, how controversial and how unpopular, I will do what I think is in the best interest of the city."

Mayor Fred Gaines said his decision was based on a number of factors that did not include the elections. He disclosed that he felt Martin was not fit to fill the role of a city leader at this time.

"My concerns regarding Councilmember Martin ... come from our last two years of service together on the council," he said.

Gaines cited examples, including a time when she refused to list her appointees during her election.

In her own prepared statement, Martin addressed some of the election issues that were raised, calling the council's rationale a "false narrative."

"The people of Calabasas have elected me ... you can choose to divide and inflame or you can choose to heal. I have been nominated, and I respectfully ask for your appointment," Martin said.

Following the 4-1 vote in favor of Shapiro, the crowd briskly dispersed.

Outside city hall, several residents said they were not surprised by the decision.

"It was a forgone conclusion," said Elizabeth Stephens, a Calabasas resident who vocally supported Martin during the meeting. "This was a sham. It was all pre-planned."

Stephens refutes Bozajian's claim that Martin called the council members corrupt during the campaign.

"I personally walked with Lucy as we canvassed the area. I can tell you that she never said that, so I don't know where he's getting that information," she said.