Forty-four applicants are vying for an open seat on the Chula Vista City Council after a two-week application period.
To be considered for appointment, individuals had to submit an application with a resume by Dec. 29.
Council members must now individually review each applicant’s resume and application. They will then nominate the candidates of their choice by Monday, Jan. 5.
The city clerk will tally those nominations. Candidates with two or more nominations will move into the interview round, which takes place at a special council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Following interviews, the mayor and council will vote on an appointee.
If council can’t agree on an appointee by Jan. 23, the vacancy will be filled by a special election.
Councilwoman Pat Aguilar said she did not realize how much interest there was by the community to fill the vacant seat.
“I am surprised,” she said. “ I never thought that there would be that many (applicants).”
Notable applicants include former Chula Vista Mayor Shirley Horton.
Horton served as mayor for six years from 1994 to 2000. She was elected to the California Assembly in 2002. Horton is currently employed by South Bay Community Services as a community relations and development director. She recently lost her bid for the Board of Equalization.
Former Port of San Diego Commissioner William Hall is also an applicant. Hall sought appointment to a council seat in 2009, losing out to Mitch Thompson.
Kevin O’ Neill applied for the seat as well. O’Neill is a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Bond Oversight Committee. He currently sits on the city of Chula Vista’s Historical Preservation Committee and is a former planning commissioner.
O’Neill said he applied to give the council an option.
“I put my name forward to give the mayor and council choices,” he said.
The fifth seat on the City Council became vacant when voters elected Mary Casillas Salas as the 50th mayor of Chula Vista. To serve as mayor, Casillas Salas had to leave her post as council member with two years remaining.
Voters also passed Prop. B, which gives the council the power to decide how to fill the vacancy — whether by appointment or special election.
Aguilar said she is seeking an appointee who offers a different perspective.
“I guess I’m looking for someone who will be able to look at issues from all points of view,” she said. “I’m looking for someone who’s neutral.”
Rounding out the list of candidates are Richard Andujo, Javier Angulo; Kari Genevieve Braun; James Clark, Craig Collins, Rob Corcilius; Lorna Dennison, David Diaz; Brian Felber, William Field, Mario Fragomeno; Jill Galvez, Hector Gastelum, Todd Glanz, Thomas Glover, Bernard Gonzales, Ofelia Gutierrez: Willie Harris, Willard Howard, Roger Hyde; Michael Jackson; Mark Liuag; Kirin Macapugay, Scott Melligan, Steven Miesen, Lisa Moctezuma, Patricia Morris; Benito Orozco; Jason Paguio; Michael Palomo, Devin Price; Jesseca Saenz-Gonzalez, Jose Serrato, Mike Spethman, Felicia Starr, Sandy Stonesifer; Daniel Vaccaro; Linda Wagner, Cheryl White; Majid Max Zaker and John Zarem.
