Hilliard and Filanc Say Farewell to Council, New Councilmembers Sworn In

Members of the Del Mar City Council and public thanked outgoing Mayor Carl Hilliard and Councilman Mark Filanc before Al Corti, Sherryl Parks and incumbent Donald Mosier were sworn into office during a special meeting Tuesday night.

Hilliard was first elected to the City Council in 2004, and Filanc joined the Council four years later. Both decided not to seek re-election.

“It has been a great privilege to work with you and with the prior councils,” said Hilliard, who served two terms as mayor during his time on the City Council. “I want to thank you so much. Goodbye and good luck.”

Filanc, who served 12 years on Del Mar’s Planning Commission before he was elected to the Council, praised Hilliard for his service to the city, especially his legal background and preparation before each meeting. Filanc also credited the mayor for “twisting his arm” to run for the City Council in 2008.

“He cares deeply about the city and the success and enhancement of the community,” Filanc said. “It shows in all the work and all the preparation that he’s done.”

Councilmembers also praised Filanc’s service and how his business and engineering expertise benefitted the city.

“Mark has been an enormous asset to the Council and to the community,” Hilliard said. “I think that [with] his knowledge of engineering, he’s cut through the issues, got right to the bottom line, helped save us money and been very instrumental in getting projects done.”

Deputy Mayor Terry Sinnott said it was a pleasure to work with Filanc.

“He’s taught me a lot and it’s a shame to see him go, but I wish him well,” Sinnott said. “Please come back and help us. We need all the help we can get.”

Former Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford said she had “many fond memories” of serving with both, and joked that she and Hilliard didn’t get along when he first joined the council.

“To our credit, we were able to begin working together,” Crawford said.

Crawford said she enjoyed the challenges of working with Hilliard on Del Mar Fairgrounds negotiations and on the purchase of Shores Property. She also thanked Filanc for his help with the city’s various construction projects, including the new sewer pump station, lifeguard headquarters and the completion of North Torrey Pines Bridge.

“As a former councilmember, I know well what level of dedication and hard work it takes to sit in the chairs in which the five of you are currently siting,” Crawford said. “It is a labor of love for our community, which is a very special place.”

After Hilliard and Filanc received Resolutions of Appreciation and several gifts, Al Corti, Sherryl Parks and incumbent Donald Mosier were sworn into office.

Of the 2,816 registered voters in Del Mar, 95.3 percent casted ballots. Corti received 1,283 votes, Parks received 1,281 votes and Mosier received 1,274 votes. They were the only three candidates to run for the three open seats.

With five votes, Sinnott was selected as the new mayor and Councilwoman Lee Haydu was selected as the new deputy mayor — the first official action of the new Del Mar City Council.