Los Alamitos had a changing of leadership on Monday as Mayor Gerri Graham-Mejia exited office after eight years on the City Council, and three members were sworn in for four-year terms.
Incumbents Troy Edgar and Warren Kusumoto were sworn in for new terms and newcomer Shelley Hasselbrink took the fifth seat for her first term on the Los Alamitos City Council. With only three qualified candidates, the city was able to avoid the cost of an election and appoint Edgar, Kusumoto and Hasselbrink to terms.
Hasselbrink spoke briefly after being sworn in, noting that since she did not have to run a campaign, her position on issues was expressed publicly. She boiled it down to its simplest form, noting that she simply wanted to keep the city a place where her future grandchildren would want to live.
“I look forward to serving this community and this city,” Hasselbrink said.
Kusumoto and Edgar spoke of the changes in the council since there was heavy friction over issues and both noted that they are hopeful that the more respectful working relationship of the council that has emerged in the past year will continue.
Graham-Mejia was recognized by several area representatives, including mayors from Seal Beach and Cypress as well as representatives Alan Lowenthal and Travis Allen. In her eight years, Graham-Mejia was only appointed mayor in her final year. However, she also noted that the better working relationship the council has had in the past year, made it her favorite year serving on the council. Graham-Mejia thanked her supporters and apologized to those with whom she could not find a common ground. But the debates and battles with those on the opposite sides of issues helped Graham-Mejia stay focused, she said.
“Thank you for challenging me and making me a better representative,” Graham-Mejia said.
Edgar spoke about Graham-Mejia as well, joking about the entertainment factor of their squabbles on the dais. However, he also said that outside of public debates, he and Graham-Mejia were quite friendly and that their fights were about stances for the community and not personal.
“I wish you the best,” Edgar told her.
In closing, Graham-Mejia thanked her family for their support, mostly her son who is away at college and her husband Javier, who was in attendance.
“Truly, without having your family behind you, you can’t do something like this,” she said.
