Governor Jerry Brown today appointed Danville Mayor Candace Andersen to fill the remaining few months of the term of the late Contra Costa Supervisor Gayle Uilkema.
Andersen was sworn in this morning during the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The new supervisor spent the rest of the day on the board in open and closed session. The meetings didn't end until 5:30 p.m.
Andersen said it was a full day and an interesting one, although her time on the Danville council helped her settle in.
"It was much like being on the council, except there are much bigger numbers," she said. "It was a great first day. I look forward to working with my fellow supervisors."
Anderson, 51, was as the county's District 2 supervisor. She starts that term in January.
, however, leaving the rest of her term unfilled.
There was some question about whether Andersen could be appointed for the remainder of the term since she does not live in the district that Uilkema was re-elected to in 2008.
Andersen does live in the reapportioned district that she campaigned in.
The County Counsel's office determined her residency in the new district was sufficient for her to be appointed.
Andersen, a Republican, has been on the Danville Town Council since 2003. She was informed of the governor's decision Monday night.
"It was very nice to hear and I appreciate the swiftness with which the governor dealt with this," Andersen said.
Andersen has stepped down from her mayor's post. At its next meeting, the council will appoint a new mayor and perhaps vice mayor to fill out the remainder of the terms through December.
To say we were disappointed in your first few hours on the job would be an understatement. Your recent endorsement of 3 major tax hikes left us disgusted: -A yes vote on the governor's November temporary sales tax hike measures. -A yes vote on a bill lowering the voter threshold on fire/police tax measures from two-thirds to 55% -A yes vote to proceed with the preparation of ConFire's parcel tax. Some of us who supported you were in the audience at your swearing in ceremony. We went from overwhelming enthusiasm to disbelief. We worked hard for you because you said you were a fiscal conservative and would look out for the use of our tax dollars. You did not do this. We worked hard to get you elected and we can also work hard to replace you. We are fed up with politicians who promise to help fix Contra Costa County and California’s spending problems and do nothing. Maybe you did learn something from Barry Obama in high school: How to deceive people to get elected, and get ahead. Please reconsider your endorsements of these tax hikes, help government workers and agencies to find a more effective way to govern. This is not LEFT or RIGHT is it WRONG! Your Tea Party activist,
Therefore I wish Candace Anderson well and ask her to stand by her convictions while listening carefully to our input.