In a special Escalon City Council meeting on Monday night, Dec. 9, Mayor David Bellinger bid farewell, stepping down from the dais and making way for newcomer Jeff Kay.
Kay and incumbent councilman Shawn Strohman were the top two vote getters in the Nov. 5 election, winning the two available four-year terms on the council. Bellinger ran for re-election and newcomer Gabriella Vargas also sought a council seat. Incumbent Strohman received the most votes in the November election, with 1,771 and Kay was second at 1,492. Bellinger polled 1,222 votes with Vargas receiving 1,052. The results were certified by the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Serving the past two years as Mayor, Bellinger called the special meeting of the council to order on Monday night at 7 p.m. and, after the council adopted a resolution declaring the results of the election – which also included overwhelming passage of Measure P, a one percent sales tax for the city – Bellinger was presented with a special Certificate of Recognition and commemorative plaque. City Manager Jaylen French made the presentation, noting Bellinger’s “heart for the community” and his four years of “dedicated service” on the council.
“I can say, from my perspective, it’s been fantastic to work with and alongside you, for you; I think we’ve been able to accomplish some good things and I think it was attributable a lot to your leadership in those couple of years as mayor,” French said.
Bellinger received a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance and he offered some remarks regarding his service on the council and having the opportunity to spend two years as mayor.
“It’s been a true privilege to serve on the city council for the past four years, I have to say it’s an absolute honor to serve as mayor the last two years of the city I grew up in,” Bellinger said. “Growing up here I never thought I would yet, here I am and I really appreciate this opportunity. I want to sincerely thank the community for their unwavering support and to those who have gotten involved in preserving the small-town charm that Escalon is known for.”
He also expressed gratitude to his fellow council members and the city staff for their ability to work together for the betterment of the community.
“I truly believe we have put the city in a positive and forward-looking path and, to the incoming council members, best of luck as you take on this important role,” Bellinger continued. “Ask thoughtful questions, consider all perspectives and always try to make decisions that are in the best interest of our great town because that is what we want, a great town.”
Fellow council members all had some words of praise for the work done by and the leadership of Bellinger on the council.
Shawn Strohman: “I want to tell you how appreciative I am of your leadership, Dave, you know you got the four rookies (council members); you kept us in line. I can honestly say after the two years I’ve been on council, your leadership was steadfast, it was on purpose and it just gives us a lot to build on … you were always there as a voice of reason, to listen and provide advice and you will be missed.”
Andy Hagan: “You’re a class act, your character is something that we should model ourselves after … seeing you gone doesn’t mean that we don’t still need your guidance at times, so feel free to always give us a call if you think we’re doing something wrong or we need to do something different.”
Malinda Walker: We came up, there was three of us, brand new to the seats, and we were seeking leadership and I feel like you have led us in a great direction; we have accomplished, the five of us, have accomplished so much in the last two years and I think that is a lot due to your leadership, not only up here, but with SJCOG (San Joaquin Council of Governments) and making sure that Escalon is taken care of. It has been an honor to be led by you for the last two years.”
Jeremy Engle: “I just wanted to express my appreciation for the work you did on council, as mayor, on SJCOG, I think you’ve been a great representative of the city; you are a model Escalonian, we all appreciate you … I think you’ve done a great job.”
Bellinger, in one of his final acts as mayor, in turn thanked his fellow council members for their remarks.
“Thank you for those words, everybody, I appreciate it,” Bellinger said. “I think you’ll carry on and continue keeping our town the way it is hoped to be and I am looking forward to that.”
The council then recessed briefly, preparing for ‘part two’ of the special session; including the swearing in of Strohman and Kay. French administered the oath and after Strohman and Kay took their seats on the dais, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Hagan was nominated for mayor by council member Malinda Walker and voted in to the position. Walker was then nominated by Strohman to serve as Mayor Pro Tem and also was voted in to that position.
Strohman and Kay offered brief remarks, both thanking the voters for their support and saying they looked forward to serving a four-year term on the council.
In regards to Measure P, it was approved by just under 75 percent of the voters; with a total of 2,527 ‘yes’ votes for 74.36 percent in favor and 868 ‘no’ votes for 25.64 percent opposed.
With certification of the November vote by the council, they meet the Dec. 12 deadline the state requires to enact the new sales tax as of April 1, 2025. All money raised through the additional one percent tax will come back to the city.
