There is a chance should Gary Singh win election as mayor that Ben Cantu or Lei Ann Larson could still end up on the council.
It is one of a number of possible scenarios that could happen.
That’s because if Singh is elected Nov. 8 there would be a vacancy on the council given he has two years left on the council term he was elected to in 2020.
Singh was assigned District 2 when the council went to district elections last year.
District 2 consists of everything south of the 120 Bypass that is east of Union Road as well as areas east of Highway 99 except north of Louise Avenue.
The council would have two options — call for another election or appoint a replacement.
Manteca leaders when a council member is elevated to mayor have traditionally opted for appointment.
The manner of how an appointment occurs this time around will not be restricted to the district Singh represents.
That’s because Singh was elected at large and not exclusively by those within District 2 where he resides.
Starting in 2024, anyone elected or appointed to the District 1 seat now held by Charlie Halford or District 2 seat now held by Singh would have to reside in their respective districts.
As such it creates several potential scenarios.
Keep in mind, however, that the council is not locked into past precedents.
That means there is no obligation to fill what could be the last at-large appointment ever to the council ever by the second highest vote getter as councils have done in the past.
Previous councils have used that approach arguing it was clear that the person had support but not enough to win and that they were willing to put themselves out there in a bid to serve.
The only at-large race this time is for mayor. Even though neither Cantu or Larson reside in District 2, because Singh’s replacement can be at-large either one could be appointed to the vacancy.
Another scenario is neither is appointed.
The council could simply look for applicants from anywhere in the city.
The last time that happened the council called on former mayor Jack Snyder to fill the vacancy.
There is no requirement a replacement has to have previous council service.
But it does bring up an interesting question.
At least one of two former mayors still living in Manteca — Steve DeBrum — is still serving the city through the council’s appointee to the San Joaquín Council of Governments board.
The other former mayor is Willie Weatherford.
DeBrum happens to reside within District 2 where Singh also resides.
A strong argument could be made that the council should give preference to applicants from District 2 although there is no legal requirement to do so until after the 2024 election when only voters within the district will select a person to a new four full-year term.
Rest assured that should Singh get elected Cantu and Larson would likely be interested in filling the vacant seat.
Larson clearly would be a long shot given the dynamics that have unfolded in the campaign.
And if nobody else steps forward except for Cantu and DeBrum, it could cerate another interesting dilemma for the council — who do they chose?
This, of course, could be all academic as either Cantu or Larson could win. But if Singh does and Cantu comes in a strong second the argument could be made he would be the logical choice.
But a case could be also made for DeBrum.
Of course, of there were other applicants that could pass muster though could solve the dilemma.
Remember, it’s a pure ‘what if” exercise until after the final vote is counted.
Cantu meet &
greet tonight
Mayor Ben Cantu will be hosting a Meet & Greet at Tato’s Mexican Grill tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Members of the community are invited to join the mayor for complimentary tacos and refreshments, and to have their questions answered and discuss the issues of importance to the community. Tato’s is located at 897 Lifestyle Street in Manteca.
The Meet & Greet is free and open to the public. For any questions, contact Ben at (209) 679-5204 or info@cantu4mayor.com.
In 2018, Cantu was elected Manteca Mayor with more votes than any candidate for mayor had received in city history.
A release promoting the event notes Cantu has overseen the addition of several new police officers to our force, initiated an affordable housing ordinance for working families, and oversaw a wide-ranging review of city finances to ensure that Mantecans’ tax dollars would be spent wisely.
Cantu and his wife Mary have lived in Manteca for more than 50 years,
Follow the campaign online at www.cantu4mayor.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at the username @mayorbencantu.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
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