Detoy Elected Mayor, Keegan is New Pro-Tem as Saemann Passes the Gavel

Michael Detoy was unanimously elected as Hermosa's new mayor on Tuesday night in a special City Council meeting that doubled as a civic celebration, drawing a packed chamber of current and former elected officials, state and county representatives, and residents.

Councilmember Michael Keegan was elected Mayor Pro Tem on a 4-1 vote, with Councilmember Ray Jackson casting the lone dissent — the only discordant note in an evening that was otherwise defined by ceremony, gratitude, and calls for civility.

A Smooth Handoff

Councilmember Dean Francois nominated Detoy for mayor, praising his "long professionalism" and predicting that council meetings under his leadership would "remain professional and efficient." Outgoing Mayor Rob Saemann seconded the nomination, and the vote carried 5-0.

Francois then nominated Keegan as Mayor pro tem, pointedly citing his status as the second-highest vote-getter in the last election and his track record of professionalism. Without naming Jackson directly, Francois said he could not support a nominee "who lacks professional[ism] and caused disruptions at meetings."

Jackson declined to cross swords on the night. "Out of respect for our community and the council, I am not going to engage in any public theatrics that are personal back and forth," he said. "This dais is where we do the people's work. We don't score political points or settle grievances." He said he would submit a statement for the record and voted no on Keegan's nomination.

The final tally on Keegan was 4-1, with Francois, Keegan, Detoy, and Saemann voting yes.

Neither Detoy nor Keegan are mayoral novices. Detoy served as Mayor back in 2022, and Keegan served two terms as Mayor in the 2000's during his previous stint on city council.

Public Commenters Weigh In

The evening's public comment period previewed the tension around the pro tem vote. Nancy Schwappach urged the council not to elect Jackson as Mayor pro tem, citing what she described as a "potentially irreconcilable conflict of interest" between his roles on the City Council and the California Coastal Commission.

Schwappach argued that when council votes on the residential parking permit program did not go Jackson's way, he "as much as threatened to weaponize the Coastal Commission" against the city, specifically calling out three council members who voted against him. She also said Jackson had not taken a public position on the Coastal Commission's recent threats against Walk Street property owners.

Jim Rosenberger echoed the concern from a different angle, saying he worried about "how our city could be perceived in the press" if the mayor pro tem would not communicate with a fellow council member or a staff member. Reports have circulated for some time that Jackson is not on speaking terms with three of his council colleagues, and has refused to shake hands on multiple occasions.

Former Mayor George Barks offered a historical perspective, recounting how he was nearly denied the mayoralty in 1975 despite receiving the most votes. He said he fought for the position, served fairly, and was elected mayor twice more. "This fighting has to stop," he said. "We need to all get along and we all need to respect one another and agree to disagree."

The Gavel Passes

Outgoing Mayor Saemann struck a gracious tone, thanking his colleagues, city staff — singling out City Clerk Ann Yang — and his wife Katie. He reflected on accomplishments during his roughly ten month term, which representatives from Congressman Ted Lieu's office, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's office, and State Senator Ben Allen's office recognized with certificates and proclamations.

Incoming Mayor Mike Detoy presents outgoing Mayor Rob Saemann with a ceremonial gavel at Tuesday night's special meeting

Among the achievements cited: emergency repairs to the downtown parking garage, forward momentum on the public works yard overhaul, the reopening of the historic Clark Building, completion of the accessible greenbelt pathway, and the naming of the Casey Rohrer South Park accessible playground.

Looking ahead, incoming Mayor Detoy flagged several priorities: expiring county contracts for county fire services, and beaches and harbors management, pressures on city infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and preserving Hermosa's character.