CITY HALL — Santa Monica City Councilman Bobby Shriver, a member of the Kennedy clan and brother of California’s first lady, was selected Tuesday as Santa Monica’s new mayor, replacing the late Ken Genser, who died earlier this year.
Shriver, who was elected to the City Council in 2004, was nominated by Councilman Bob Holbrook. He was supported by Councilmember Kevin McKeown and Terry O’Day, who failed to cast a deciding vote in March, drawing out the selection process.
Mayor Pro Tem Pam O’Connor was nominated by Councilman Richard Bloom and received support from Councilwoman Gleam Davis. In recent months, O’Connor has acted as the council’s chair and agenda setter.
The position of mayor in Santa Monica is almost entirely ceremonial, with no real power to back up the title.
But, the role does have its perks.
The mayor makes more money than the rest of the council members — $15,329 per year compared with $12,774 — and gets to preside over meetings.
Among members of the council, O’Connor, Holbrook and Bloom each have served as mayor.
After the selection, Shriver and O’Connor switched seats and Shriver managed the rest of the meeting.
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