KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Sanger Mayor Keeps Job

Sanger Mayor Keeps Job

By Norma Yuriar

Fresno, Calif.  (KMPH News) — A three way power struggle between the mayor of Sanger, the city council and the community all came to head Thursday night.

Dozens of people packed into Sanger City Hall Chambers, many holding signs reading 'keep Mayor Jose Villarreal in office.'

"We thank you for what you are doing, we do support you," said one supporter.

Not everyone feels the same.  A call to reorganize the city council came from Councilmember Rosa Pena.

"My question to you at this point in time is simply this: what is the purpose of the reorganization," Villarreal said.

"I feel it's time, I've seen things happen here that shouldn't have happened," Pena said.  "I've had enough already."

Members of the community quickly took the mic — many supporting the Mayor, others did not.

"You better resign Mr. Villarreal, our community needs somebody with guts, to lead not to become an obstacle for the other four city council members," Sanger Resident Alonzo Gomez said.

Villarreal supporters believe the recently elected mayor is being unfairly target by the rest of the council because of what happened during a recent meeting – Villarreal was not present.

On October 1, 2009 the Sanger City Council did not record the closed door session, a violation of the Brown Act.

The Fresno County District Attorney's Office completed a review of the situation and determined that no civil complaint would be filed after the city council agreed to record the meeting in the future.

Then, in 2009 the Fresno County Grand Jury alleged certain unnamed council members were abusing their powers.

The Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating whether rules where broken, including diverting funds from their intended use and giving developers special consideration.

Villarreal says it's time to fix the city.

Thursday night, Councilmember Pena made the recommendation to reorganize the council and replace Villarreal with Mayor Pro–Tem Victor Ruiz.

He declined the nomination, Villarreal got to keep this job.

Pena said she would support an effort to make the mayor's seat and elected position in the future.  The mayor is currently appointed by the city council.

Members of the community say it's time to put the bickering aside.

"I'd like to see these council people start pulling together and start thinking about the city of Sanger instead of their individual power plays," Sanger Resident Doris Knowlton said.