Silverstein Passed Over For Malibu Mayor Pro Tem

MALIBU, CA — Councilmember Paul Grisanti was named Malibu Mayor Pro Tem during a contentious nomination process Monday night that culminated in strong words exchanged between Mayor Mikke Pierson and newly-elected Councilmember Bruce Silverstein.

Among other barbs, Pierson told Silverstein he had doubts about his fitness for office, while Silverstein told Pierson to "act like a grown-up."

A longstanding Malibu tradition holds that the incoming councilmember who receives the highest number of votes is nominated for the number two spot, meaning they are next in line to become mayor. That would mean that Bruce Silverstein, who received 2,414 votes, would normally fill that role.

But Mayor Mikke Pierson and Councilmembers Karen Farrer and Paul Grisanti nominated Steve Urhing, who came in a close second. With three votes, Uhring was officially Mayor Pro Tem for just a few minutes before he turned the role down, arguing that the position should be awarded to Silverstein.

"If we're going to work together and we're going to become a commission that is going to get things done, I don't think we want to start dissing people in the first meeting," Uhring said. "I would like to decline this position and have it go back to Bruce."

After Uhring declined and Farrer nominated Grisanti, Silverstein asked to speak. "I believe this is a personal vendetta that is being waged by members of Council who do not want to see me elected, notwithstanding the fact that 2400 residents felt differently," he said. "I appreciate - actually I don't - the lack of dignity and respect you're already starting off according me, which is completely consistent with the disrespect you showed in the last two meetings."

In a Nov. 24 meeting, Pierson accused Silverstein of "harassing" city staff, particularly City Manager Reva Feldman, by sending them numerous strongly-worded emails. "It's really discouraging, what you're doing right now, to be perfectly honest," he said. "Over 80 emails to Reva since you've been elected...I don't know the legal definition, but it's harassment."

Silverstein responded that he had only sent 38 emails to staff, and disputed that his actions constituted harassment, which he said means discrimination based on race, religion, gender, etc.

"I'm not sure how you expect me to vote to support you with what I feel are unending personal attacks," Pierson responded to Silverstein Monday night. "I find some of your actions hard to comprehend...they completely confound me. I want to get to know you, I want to work together, like you and I have talked, we spent quite a bit of time trying to figure it out, and yet every time, I feel like you went out and attacked again."

Pierson also said that he does not think that any new councilmember should be elected mayor pro tem, and that he wanted to bring forth a motion in January to change this tradition. "It shouldn't be that a new city councilperson becomes mayor - it's not enough time to get to understand and know all the players," he said. "Even though I was after Karen [Farrer] it was a little early - it would've been nice to get know people first."

Uhring responded that he felt that denying Silverstein his traditional role would only exacerbate building tensions on the new Council. "My only point is Bruce earned the votes, he went out and got elected, he got the most votes of any of us, and there should be some reward for doing that," he said. "Trying to change that sends a message that I don't think is helpful in terms of getting everybody to work together."

Silverstein responded by telling Pierson to "act like a grown-up."

"It is very obvious that others are capable of saying good things and portending to wish to see less divisiveness, and incapable of themselves not being divisive by the actions that are occurring tonight, and by the actions that have occurred over the past few weeks," he said. "The campaign is over - I would suggest you get over your upsetness for whatever was said during the campaign that you think marginalized you, and act like a grown-up."

At this, Farrer looked noticeably taken aback, while Pierson began to chuckle. "The last time someone didn't get elected to pro tem, Skylar [Peak], is because people worried about his fitness for the role - that's the position I'm in," he said. "Some of the things you've written, some of the things, I'll just be honest - I don't follow."

At that point, a revote was held. Uhring and Silverstein voted for Silverstein, while Pierson, Farrer, and Grisanti voted for Grisanti, and oaths of office were administered by family members.

Speaking to Patch, Silverstein said he was not upset at not being elected Mayor Pro Tem, which he said is a ceremonial role without any special duties. "But this was disrespectful to the residents who voted for me," he said.