There's a New Mayor in Town: Farewell Rick Kowalczyk, Welcome John Muller

Tuesday night the Half Moon Bay City Council unanimously selected Councilmember John Muller to serve as its next Mayor. It is Muller’s second term as Mayor, having previously served in the role from 2009 to 2010.

Muller takes over from outgoing mayor, Rick Kowalczyk, who held the post during an important period of time as significant progress was achieved in stabilizing the budget, improving public services, and holding the City’s insurance companies accountable for past financial losses.

"It was a terrific honor to serve Half Moon Bay as Mayor this year," said Kowalczyk. "I'm thankful to the City Council and entire community for their support, energy, and effort to help build unprecedented positive momentum for the City."  

Within the past year, the City also initiated broad initiatives, such as the General Plan and Local Coast Program update, which are part of a multi-year planning effort that is currently underway.

"A return to fiscal health, retiring significant bond debt early, adopting an economic development plan, improving the City's Planning Department, and initiating new projects for the first time in years — like street re-paving, constructing new trails, and improving safety on our roads and bridges — stand out as progress that we can all be proud of," said Kowalczyk. "We live in the most wonderful City, and I want to thank the entire community for the privilege to serve as your Mayor this past year."

“I want to thank Councilmember Rick Kowalczyk for his tremendous work over the past year,” stated Mayor John Muller. “It is an honor to once again represent the City of Half Moon Bay as Mayor."

Known in the community as “Farmer John,” Muller has been the owner and operator of Daylight Farms and Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay for many decades. He has served on the Half Moon Bay City Council since 2006 and also functions as the Chair of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Prior to his tenure on the City Council, Muller was a Board Member and Chair of the Coastside County Water District Board.

"Having lived here and worked in agriculture and farming my entire life, I am passionate about this community and what it stands for. I feel a deep commitment to preserving the character of Half Moon Bay as we work to create a sustainable future for the next generation,” said Muller. 

Additionally, Councilmember Marina Fraser was selected as Vice Mayor by her colleagues. Fraser was first elected to the Half Moon Bay City Council in November 2003 and has served as Mayor twice.