News

Rosalie O’Mahony’s 20-year tenure on the Burlingame City Council ended last night with the swearing in of newly-elected Councilman Michael Brownrigg, but she was not in attendance to see it. 

O’Mahony, who lost a fifth bid for re-election by a 92-vote margin, was recognized at a November meeting. Brownrigg was the top vote-getter in November, leaving the Planning Commission after eight years. Brownrigg, the lone challenger, had the most votes in the four-person race and joined incumbents Ann Keighran and Cathy Baylock on the council. The swearing-in process marked the naming of Baylock as the new mayor and Terry Nagel as vice mayor. 

“It feels good to be back in the saddle,” Baylock said after sitting in the center seat.     

She praised Keighran for leading the city as mayor the past year with poise through a year of difficult budget cuts and decisions. 

“She reminded us that we’re a great community whether we have money or not,” Baylock said. “It’s not about the money. It’s about the community. And she did that with great dignity. We really appreciate that.” 

Keighran had a few words before leaving the post, starting with describing the year of service as a privilege and an honor. She praised residents and city staff noting many of the successes this past year were attributed to collaborative efforts. 

A number of budget cuts made the year challenging, but many good things were accomplished as well, she said. The year included a successful bid to pass the storm drain measure, passage of the hotel tax increase, an outreach to the business community, moving forward with a new Safeway project and the debut of the new downtown specific plan, she said. Looking ahead, Keighran said high-speed rail will remain a focus for the council. 

Baylock had a historical look at the town in her remarks after taking the seat as mayor for the second time. High-speed rail will be her top priority in the coming year.

“We have people who are passionate; who will fight over trees and historic buildings,” she said, adding she knew residents would stand up to support the council in the fight to keep high-speed rail from splitting Burlingame. 

Baylock welcomed Brownrigg with a minor mishap giving him her last name. 

Laughs from the audience prompted Baylock to joke, and “you get a second wife.” 

Resident John Root swore in Brownrigg. Nuts for Candy owner John Kevranian did the honors for Keighran. Baylock’s husband Joe swore her in for a third term after Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, was unable to make his flight because of fog. 

City Clerk Mary Ellen Kearney, who was also elected in November, noted that she received more votes than anyone in the most recent election as she ran unopposed. Kearney will be Burlingame’s last elected city clerk as the residents opted to make the position a staff one in four years. City Manager Jim Nantell swore Kearney in for the four-year term. 

Also at last night’s meeting, resolutions were presented in honor of Police Chief Jack Van Etten and City Librarian Alfred Escoffier, both of whom will soon retire. 

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.