When, How & Who To Fill Starosciak Seat?

As the City Council tries to finish up its work in July to take an August recess one question before it will be how to deal with the pre-election vacancy that will occur when Joyce Starosciak moves out of town in early August.

Starosciak came in third behind Mayor Stephen Cassidy and former Mayor Tony Santos in the 2010 election. In an open letter to friends and supporters in June she wrote:

"Born and raised in San Leandro, I have often said that the soil is literally in my bones. When I lost the election for Mayor of San Leandro, I was heartbroken. In order to move on from the daily reminder of this loss, it has become necessary to leave."

At the July 2 city council meeting, Starosciak informed her colleagues that her departure would likely be over the summer, before her term expires in December.

City Attorney Jayne Williams told Patch that she is "reviewing the City Charter requirements and possible procedural scenarios" to suggest a process, including what would happen if there is a tie vote among the six remaining council members.

It is unclear whether Starosciak's replacement will have to be appointed before or after the election to replace her. She was unable to run for re-election because of term limits.

Three candidates are already lined up to compete for Starosciak's seat: Darlene Daevu, Chris Crow and Benny Lee.

Mike Katz, a school board member and author of San Leando Bytes, says the last time the council appointed a member was in February 2007 when it chose Jim Prola to replace Tony Santos, who had been elected Mayor.

Prola is also up for re-election in November. So far no challenger has stepped forward.

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