On Dec. 9, Santa Clarita is poised to swear in Laurene Weste as mayor — for the seventh time since she took her City Council seat way back when Bill Clinton was president. Yes you read that right — seventh time.
And while the title “mayor” in our city rotates by tradition, it should never be treated as a coronation. Leadership is not an heirloom to be handed down like Grandma’s china, yet here the council is again: preparing to rubber-stamp the same dusty figurehead, regardless of her conduct, controversy, or orchestrated gamesmanship.
Let’s be honest: This past year has been filled with enough political shenanigans to make even seasoned government watchers gasp. Between Weste’s back-room deals, abuse of city staff, community frustration, and a public perception problem that only grew louder, the idea of elevating Laurene Weste to mayor yet again feels icky. This is not about age, personality, or nostalgia. It’s about performance and public trust — two things in grossly short supply under her tenure this year.
Santa Clarita residents deserve a mayor who brings fresh thinking, clean hands, and genuine public engagement — not a repeat cycle of insider theatrics and heavy-handed, self-serving decision-making. A seventh term doesn’t signify stability; it signals stagnation. It tells the public that leadership is predetermined and unshakeable, no matter how loudly the voters demand better.
But perhaps the most glaring concern is this: It wasn’t even supposed to be Weste’s turn in 2026. It was Marsha McLean’s. Under our long-standing rotation custom, the council seat order makes the next-in-line abundantly clear. McLean has not served as mayor since 2019 — six years ago. She has followed the process, respected the rotation, and maintained her integrity during a year when political gamesmanship and unprofessional attacks by some of her council colleagues has been on full display. Marsha has shown up for residents, stayed engaged, and avoided the controversy that has clouded City Hall.
Yet, because of last year’s maneuvering, and thanks to Councilwoman Patsy Ayala’s motion, Weste leapfrogged the rotation. And now, despite the controversies Weste generated throughout this past year, she’s positioned to take the gavel again. This is exactly the kind of insider deal-making that erodes public confidence and should not be tolerated.
If the rotation means anything — if fairness means anything, if integrity means anything — then Marsha McLean should be appointed mayor on Dec. 9. She earned her place in the rotation. She has maintained professionalism. She has not been the source of public embarrassment or political drama. Importantly, she represents a return to stability, decorum, and respect for process. Laurene Weste has demonstrated exactly why she should step back from the mayor’s chair — not reclaim it for the seventh time.
If the council is serious about public trust; if they care about ethical governance; if they believe in leadership that reflects the will and wellbeing of the community; then the choice is clear: Do not appoint Laurene Weste as mayor for the seventh time on Dec. 9.
Appoint Marsha McLean instead — because it is her turn, her right under the rotation, and most importantly, she is the best choice for our community.
Let’s see if any member of our esteemed City Council has an ounce of spine or an ounce of standards and motions to appoint Ms. McLean as mayor.
Sam Steel
Valencia
