Scotts Valley Vice Mayor Jim Reed was passed the mayor’s gavel Wednesday night after a unanimous vote by the City Council.
Reed was sworn in at the Dec. 2 council meeting and succeeds Randy Johnson, who remains on the council. Dene Bustichi was appointed vice mayor, with Councilwoman Stephany Aguilar dissenting the decision.
The mayorship is a titular post, with the mayor having no more power than other members of the council, except to lead meetings and to act as spokesman for the council.
The packed council meeting was abuzz with cake and strawberry punch as Reed celebrated his first evening as mayor.
“This is a special night for me and my family,” Reed said. “It’s my son’s 10th birthday, and I bet he thinks all the cake is for him.”
Reed settled in Scotts Valley with his wife, Lea, and their four children from Washington, D.C., in 2000, when he took a job with Nokia. Reed left Nokia six years later and spent a year as editor and general manager of the Press-Banner. He continues to contribute Little League and high school football stories to the Press-Banner.
He now sells insurance for Thoits Insurance in San Jose.
Reed’s career on the Scotts Valley City Council started in January 2007, after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger chose former Councilman Paul Marigonda as a judge in the middle of his term. Reed took over the vacant post and was later elected after no other candidate ran for the seat.
In addition to leading City Council meetings and performing ceremonial duties, Reed said his priority as mayor for 2010 will be to continue work on the future library branch on Kings Village Road.
Reed has also been heavily involved in Scotts Valley’s planned Town Center.
