Del Mar Swears in New Council Members

DEL MAR, CA — Del Mar’s new City Council was officially seated at the dais on Monday.

As the top vote-getter, former Mayor Dave Druker was one of three city officials sworn into office, eight years after first stepping down from the council. He served on the council, including three terms as mayor, from 1996 to 2008.

Newcomer Ellie Haviland, along with incumbent Sherryl Parks, also took the oath of office. Parks, who served as mayor this year, was sworn in for her second term.

It was Del Mar's first contested election in a decade, with six people vying for three seats.

With the results now certified by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Druker received 21.1 percent of the vote, followed by Haviland with 19.2 percent and Parks with 18.5 percent.

Challengers T. Pat Stubbs and Jim Benedict followed with 16.5 percent and 13.4 percent of the vote, respectively. Incumbent Al Corti, who was running for a second term, received 11.1 percent of the vote.

Prior to seating the new members, the council on Monday thanked Corti and Councilman Don Mosier for their service to the city.

Corti, who served as mayor in 2015, was elected to the council in 2012.

“Al has been a great asset to the council,” said Councilman Dwight Worden, who read a resolution of appreciation for the outgoing councilman on behalf of the rest of the council.

“It’s been my honor to serve the citizens of Del Mar and to work with an esteemed council — not just the one I’m seated with now, but the one before,” said Corti, who thanked his colleagues, city staff and the community. “I want to wish the new council coming in the best of luck and success.”

Mosier, who served two four-year terms on the council, decided not to see reelection.

“The Del Mar council and the community wish to express our appreciation and thank you for a job well done,” said Parks, as she read a resolution of appreciation for the outgoing councilman on behalf of the rest of the council.

Mosier also thanked his colleagues, both past and present, city staff and the community.

“I really appreciate all of the engagement of our citizens, all the help they give to support the council and to help drive our agenda,” he said.

Parks was also recognized for her yearlong stint as mayor.

“Mayor Parks has led each City Council meeting with friendly tone … making citizens, council members and staff feel welcome and included,” Deputy Mayor Terry Sinnott said.

Of the many events she attended as mayor, she said one of her favorites was a visit with local fourth graders on a field trip.

“‘Dear Mayor Parks, thank you so much for talking to us,” she said one student wrote in a thank-you note. “Don’t change Del Mar. It’s perfect because you’re helping it.’”

Among the council’s accomplishments during her tenure, Parks presided over both the demolition of Del Mar’s old city hall and the groundbreaking of the city’s new civic center.

Parks said she was proud to recognize many local and regional nonprofit organizations that serve the community with proclamations at council meetings. She was also proud to have led the efforts for the city’s code of civil discourse, which the council adopted last spring in an effort to keep public dialogue productive, even when there’s conflict.

“Being your mayor has been an honor and it’s been fun,” she said. “This year went by quickly, and I met many new friends. Thank you for having the confidence to send me back to serve on the City Council. I promise you I’ll do my best.”

In its first act, the new council unanimously appointed Sinnott as mayor and Worden as deputy mayor. Sinnott, who has served on the council since 2010, first served as mayor in 2013.

Del Mar rotates the mostly ceremonial positions of mayor and deputy mayor among council members each year.

– Photos by Kristina Houck, Patch staff