Observer Reporter
Culver City sure knows how to throw a goodbye party. On Monday night the City Council chamber was the scene of a big goodbye party for outgoing Council member Gary Silbiger, in honor of his eight years of service to the City.
Following a party-type gathering in one of the side rooms, with a huge cake and other refreshments, the Council meeting began with a tribute to Silbiger that included certificates and letters of tribute from dignitaries such as Senator Diane Feinstein; Congresswoman Diane Watson; State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass; and County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
In a special public input segment, Mary Lou Cordone read a statement: ”I am pleased to use my voice to publicly thank Gary Silbiger for using his voice to speak for me, for seniors, and for small creatures that cannot speak for themselves.” (She was referring to Silbiger’s work on behalf of animals).
Karlo Silbiger, School Board member and son of Gary, noted that his dad has been, at times, “a controversial figure,” but that “he has been happy to be a minority of one.”
He ticked off a list of his father’s accomplishments that included offering open office hours to see and talk with constituents; establishing a homelessness committee; raising awareness of environmental issues when they were not yet “fashionable;” and being on the side of the schools when it was not thought to be a priority and when it was deemed inappropriate for the City Council and School Board to work together.
“I hope the City will follow his uncompromising ethics,” concluded Karlo Sibiger.
City Clerk Martin Cole, who acted as a sort of emcee of the evening’s tribute, gave the standing-room only chamber a laugh when he presented Silbiger with a life-sized public notice of his farewell event. The line at the top read “Notice of Council Member Gary Silbiger’s Eight Years of Service to the City Council,” followed by the “What,” “Where,” and “When” information. The framed flyer was a tribute to Silbiger’s work to improve Culver City’s public information system.
Finally, Silbiger was presented with a plaque by interim City Manager Lamont Ewell.
Before leaving the dais, Silbiger reminisced about his origins. He recalled that his working-class parents did not have the advantage of unions or pensions. Growing up Jewish, he became aware at an early age of the discrimination and prejudice that exists in American society, and growing up in the era of anti-war dissent in the 1960s also shaped his political consciousness.
He and his wife Barbara moved to Culver City in 1981—mostly to take advantage of the superior school system for their children, Karlo and Tanya. A community activist over the years, Silbiger eventually segued into running for office, bringing with him his “core values.”
As a last legacy to the City, Silbiger offered two suggestions to agendize for the future: the creation of a Youth Council, and a more transparent and open city government with open communication to the public.
With a little bit of the usual struggle over the technology, a slide show was shown of Silbiger’s appearances at civic events over the years, to the tune of the Byrd’s “Turn, Turn, Turn.”
Silbiger tried to leave the dais after that butwas reminded gently that there was still some city business. Cole had to deliver an official report to the Council on the results of the April 13 election and the Council had to adopt a resolution approving it.
After Cole announced that Jeff Cooper had been elected to the seat to be vacated by Silbiger, and that Scott Malsin had been re-elected to another term on the Council, Silbiger asked him: “Can I go?”
Told that he could, Silbiger slowly left the dais—to great applause.
The Council unanimously voted Christopher Armenta in as Mayor, with Mehaul O’Leary as Vice Mayor. Under a new policy, the Vice Mayor also serves as Chair of the Redevelopment Agency, so O’Leary was officially voted in as Chair also, with Scott Malsin as Vice Chair. Malsin and Cooper were also sworn in, with their wives at their sides, and all council officials were given the appropriate pins, which their wives fastened to their jackets.
“This is a dream come true,” said Armenta.
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