Denise Athas Appointed Novato Mayor

NOVATO, CA — The gavel has once again changed hands at the Novato City Council.

The council on Tuesday appointed Mayor Pro Tem Denise Athas as the new mayor, and Councilwoman Pat Eklund as mayor pro tem. Outgoing Mayor Eric Lucan passed the gavel to Athas during the council's reorganization meeting.

"It is my third time serving as mayor, and I'm honored to do it again and work with my fellow council members, staff and the community," said Athas, who was first elected to the council in 2009.

Novato rotates the mostly ceremonial positions of mayor and mayor pro tem among council members each year.

"I look forward to working with the entire council," Eklund said. "I know that this council will work together to act in the goodness of the entire community."

Lucan completed his second term as mayor.

"It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as mayor of the City of Novato this last year," he said. "It really is the best job in the world, even more so when it is your hometown."

Lucan, who was recently re-elected, and newly-elected councilwomen Amy Peele and Susan Wernick were also officially sworn in during the meeting.

"As a newly-elected councilmember, I am both honored and humbled to be able to represent you," Wernick said. "I am excited about the future and thrilled to be in a position to be able to make a difference."

"I commit to serve our community and I agree to make its needs a top priority," Peele said.

The first regular meeting of the new council will be Dec. 17.