Malburg Steps Aside As Vernon Mayor
The former mayor continues as councilman while Gonzalez and McCormick fill top two seats. There were no explanations given for the action, unusual to the city’s history.
By Elizabeth Hsing-Huei Chou, EGP Staff Writer
With little fanfare and discussion, Vernon’s mayor for the last 35 years stepped down Monday from his position as the officiator of the city council, making way for two long-time members to take over as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
Leonis Malburg, who recently turned 80, was last referred to as “Councilman Malburg” in 1974, the year he became Mayor. Malburg, who joined the council in 1956, continues to be an “active councilmember,” said City Attorney Jeff Harrison.
The council voted 4 to 0 — Malburg abstaining — to remove Malburg as mayor, and to appoint Hilario Gonzalez as mayor and Michael McCormick as mayor pro tem.
Leonis Malburg steps down from long-time post as Vernon's mayor.
This is the first time in more than three decades that the council did not vote for Malburg, the grandson of one of the city’s founders, to continue as mayor.
Malburg, in his twenties when he joined the city council, was recognized for his years of service. “He’s always been known for his dedication and hard work in representing the city,” Harrison said.
After the change-over, Malburg remained physically in the same chair that he has traditionally occupied, though this may change at the next meeting, Harrison said.
Though the re-organization was unusual for the city, there were no explanations given. There were some clues but no official indication prior to the meeting about the change, and Malburg did not give notice that he would not continue as mayor this year.
“[Malburg] sent nothing into the city. There wasn’t necessarily a lot of council discussion… There wasn’t a whole lot of explanation anywhere by anybody,” Harrison said.
The city attorney said the re-organization likely would not change the substance of council business. As in many other cities, the council titles in Vernon are ceremonial.
“No councilman has any more authority than any other … It is still the same five guys,” Harrison said.
Even at public events, Malburg was not always the primary person representing the city. As Mayor Pro Tem, Gonzalez would often speak actively at those events, Harrison said.
Gonzalez has been a resident since 1952, McCormick since 1969. Both officials joined the council in 1974.
Gonzales has deep roots in the city of Vernon. He attended and graduated from Vernon Elementary School while his family lived in Los Angeles west of Alameda Street near Vernon.
Gonzalez retired in 1994 from a 45-year career with Sunbeam, an established maker of small electrical appliances. He highlighted the major economic contributions of the city he now helms.
“It is an honor to be appointed by my colleagues as Mayor of this wonderful city that has served as a premier engine of economic development in Southern California for decades,” the new mayor said.
“We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for job creation and attracting companies that today employ more than 50,000 people living in neighboring communities,” he said.
Before retiring, McCormick was employed with the Safeway meat processing plant in Vernon and the Boy Scouts of America, for which he still currently serves as a scout leader.
Richard J. Maisano, appointed this year to replace outgoing councilman Thomas A. Ybarra, is the newest member of council. William “Bill” Davis has been on the city council since 1981.
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April 23, 2009 Copyright © 2010 Eastern Group Publications, Inc.
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