On June 3, Lathrop voters will spend as much as $20,000 to elect a council member to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Felicia Cherry.

Like many Lathropites, we worried that spending $20,000 for a special election was a waste of taxpayers’ money. The alternative would have been for the other four council members to appoint a replacement. But that action would have violated a state law that requires a majority of the council to be elected, as opposed to appointed. In Lathrop, council members Martha Salcedo and Steve Dresser were already appointed.

In hindsight, the law was much wiser than our concerns for the cost, because the legislation protects the voice of the people by requiring the majority of a governing body to be elected.  And for Lathrop, that is critical. The council member to be determined in the June 3 special election will be the deciding vote on a council now split 2-2.  

Lathrop City Council’s current makeup has a split philosophy in managing key issues such as growth and fiscal responsibilities. The newly elected member to the group must be able to listen to both sides — not behind closed doors, but openly — and reach a decision that outweighs any special interests and is in the best interest of Lathrop residents.

The candidates have said the current council is lacking “institutional knowledge” regarding public safety, growth and its impact to the levees, promoting a business-friendly environment, optimizing resources such as re-claimed water for parks, fostering a better relationship with Manteca, and restoring the “small town feel” at City Hall.

Fortunately for Lathrop, the plethora of candidates that have come forward have an array of issues to bring to the table. But they also need to understand that with a split philosophy, they will be walking a tightrope on key issues.  

No one council member nor the Mayor has any more importance than the newest member and cannot make a decision alone but must reach consensus. And for the people of Lathrop, the special election will provide the opportunity to give new direction to a council that is troubled in understanding their role.  

It’s a chance for Lathropites to right their ship. Become informed, take part in the election process and vote wisely on your destiny. The community needs it!