Ricardo Batalla was chosen to represent the voters of District 1 on the City Council by Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmembers Gloria Flores and Maribel Aguilera at the April 7 council meeting.
I wish Mr. Batalla, father of three and director of youth development at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, the very best. He will be working with the council to solve complex issues, like the $25 million budget deficit each year for the next two years, and the city’s five-year general plan. I encourage him to be an independent voice for the people of District 1 and respond to his constituents’ needs, rather than be beholden to the people who put him in his seat.
Mr. Batalla had nothing to do with the flawed process used to choose someone to fill the vacant seat of Carlos Escobedo. It was the mayor and council’s job to create a fair and transparent system that would listen to the voices of more than 25,000 people in District 1. They did not do that.
Instead, they advertised for people who wanted to serve District 1; the City Clerk certified five who had met the deadline and were eligible to serve; then three on the council appointed the person they wanted to work with.
Both Joyce Howerton, former mayor of Lompoc, and Glenn Morris, who served 10 years as the CEO of the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce, told me that it is normal to interview the candidates who are eligible, in front of the voters when possible, to determine the best choice for their district. Mr. Morris said there was no hurry in this case.
In fact, city staff gave the council a method in the meeting agenda. “Provide direction to staff to initiate interviews or other steps as determined by the City Council for consideration at a future special meeting to consider appointing a qualified individual to fill the vacancy.”
This is not the way to make such an important decision for the city of Santa Maria. But in our city, what happens at City Council meetings is ‘pro forma.’
A special election in November was another possible way to fill the seat, giving the residents of District 1 the chance to vote. This choice was rejected by the council because they wanted someone soon.
Strangely, this item was last on the agenda, and voted upon at 10 p.m., four and a half hours into the meeting, when the council was visibly tired—and admitted that, to an almost empty room.
I advised the council that a special election was the most democratic choice. Then I said, “If you decide to appoint someone, you have three people who have run in District 1.” Maria Salguero, who ran for the seat in 2024, and Osvaldo Sotelo in 2020. Ms. Salguero received 1,657 votes. Mr. Sotello over a thousand. Diana Perez ran for mayor and won more than 2,000 votes in the district. All three had engaged for months with the voters. Considering them seriously for the seat was merited by their hard work and commitment.
Instead, the council accepted public comment in the form of endorsements for the candidates. Joyce Howerton told me she had never seen this happen at a council meeting. She would have spoken if she knew it was allowed. Most of the speakers were friends and relatives of Mr. Batalla.
Councilmember Gloria Soto asked the city attorney and city manager how to proceed. “Should someone nominate a candidate, and the council vote?” They said yes.
Then, Councilmember Flores said, “I feel ready to elect someone.” When the mayor corrected her, she said, “I nominate Ricardo Batalla.” The mayor called for someone to second the nomination. When no one did, she said, “I second that for the purpose of discussion.” Then she immediately called for a vote. Three voted yes. Ms. Soto voted no, (to the process, and not the person), and it was over.
Shock and joy filled the room. Shock at how unfair the process was to the candidates, and joy from the family and friends of Ricardo Batalla.
This is not the way to make such an important decision for the city of Santa Maria. But in our city, what happens at City Council meetings is “pro forma.” Most decisions are made before the council enters the chamber. The rest is theater.
Gale McNeeley writes to the Sun from Santa Maria. Send a letter for publication to letters@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in April 23 – April 30, 2026.