New Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem for 2025

When the City Council reconvenes after the holidays, Bob Ruesch will serve as Mayor and Wendy Bucknum as Mayor Pro Tem.
The Council Members were selected for the one-year posts during the City Council's annual reorganization on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Mayor Trish Kelley’s State of the City video also premiered.
The City Council normally meets at 6 pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Council Chamber located at 200 Civic Center.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 14. For more information, visit cityofmissionviejo.org.
Comments
I recommend viewers to watch…
I recommend viewers to watch Tuesdays. Council meeting where the new leadership was established. Member Vasquez made a strong case for the traditional annual rotation that has happened almost every year since we became a City. Member Bucknum argued that she received 60 percent of the votes cast in her District while Cynthia only had around 42 percent in her race. What should be mentioned is that Cynthia defeated two established Incumbents in the 2022 election.
There is a pocket park that…
There is a pocket park that exists south of the south entrance to the Oso Creek Trail.
There is a broken (by design) concrete walkway that leads to a fountain and seating. Each segment of that walkway highlights a COMMUNITY OF CHARACTER word, 12 words in all. The first word that appears when you pass the opening in the wall is MORAL COURAGE.
The word ‘why’ begs for a response.
Why is there only one councilmember on the dais that employs the 12 words on this walkway?
Good for Cynthia Vasquez…
Good for Cynthia Vasquez challenging the council’s lack of enthusiasm for a fair rotation for the ceremonial positions of mayor and mayor pro tem.
Trish Kelley acknowledged that there has never been a firm tradition.
Wendy Bucknum’s responses were shallow, insulting to both the voters and Cynthia, self-centered and non-responsive to the legitimate matters that were raised.
Wendy stayed true to her character patterns and played loose with the facts.
Outside of their votes in support of the selection of Bob Ruesch and Wendy, the two council men, Ruesch and Brian Goodell remained silent.
Someone should have corrected Wendy. She usurped her office and was removed from office by Order of the Court. That decision was affirmed by the Appeals Court. It is not lawfare when council members are removed when they stay in office beyond their elected terms.
I want to encourage our civic minded residents to consider running for city council. It is not difficult to be a council member. You make public decisions based on the facts. Now is the time to explore your opportunities and start laying the groundwork for your campaigns. Others have already started. We cannot have a repeat of this council majority for another 4 years with their handpicked replacements who will undoubtedly continue the culture of lack of transparency and no tolerance for other viewpoints.