Galiotto to be named mayor next week Galiotto to be named mayor next week (January 06, 2006)

After a one-year delay, Perry set to become vice mayor

By Jon Wiener

Mountain View City Council members are expected to elevate Vice Mayor Nick Galiotto to the top post at next Tuesday's meeting. But it's the election for his replacement that could draw most of the attention.

Galiotto was first elected in 2002 to complete the term of disgraced Mayor Mario Ambra. Galiotto won reelection in 2004, finishing second among six candidates. Well-respected by even the council's harshest critics, Galiotto ascended to the vice mayor spot last year at a ceremonial council meeting that turned surprisingly heated, trumping Greg Perry, who was thought to be in line for the position.

A majority of council members told the Voice they planned to vote for Galiotto and Perry, the two most veteran council members that have not yet served in the posts. Those who declined to answer said they preferred to keep their votes secret until Tuesday's meeting.

On the losing end of a 4-3 vote last January, Perry faced criticism over his outspokenness and leadership abilities. But others said they voted for Galiotto because he had served slightly longer, joining the council immediately after the election, and had earned more votes.

Council member Matt Pear, who voted for Galiotto, said that concern about Perry's leadership abilities was overblown.

"It's a ceremonial position," said Pear. "How bad can somebody really mess up a ceremonial position?"

If Perry does win on Tuesday, it will put him in line to serve as mayor if he wins reelection this November. That could mean a marked departure from Perry's last campaign, in which he cast himself as a rabble-rouser with an outsider's perspective.

The Mountain View mayor has the same voting power as the rest of the council, but does have significant input in setting meeting agendas and shaping debate on individual issues. The vice mayor does little beyond filling for the mayor when necessary.

Perry downplayed the importance of the election.

"I don't think the vice mayor post changes much. It's much more a question of what kind of ideas you bring forward."

E-mail Jon Wiener at jwiener@mv-voice.com

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