School Board candidate no longer has to run
CITY HALL When voters study their ballots in November, they might notice the absence of one familiar name.
Board of Education member Ralph Mechur, who was vying to finish the remaining two years of Emily Bloomfield’s seat, was informed last week by the L.A. County Clerk that his name would be removed from the ballot because he was running unopposed.
The omission comes in accordance with the California Education Code, which states that if there are as many candidates as open seats, their names will not appear on the ballot and will instead be automatically appointed by the board.
The county notified City Clerk Maria Stewart last week, who in turn contacted the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
“This is the first time we’ve had this since I’ve been here,” Stewart, who has been with the office for 13 years, said.
Mechur is expected to be appointed to the seat in December when the elected members are sworn in, according to Sarah Wahrenbrock, the assistant to the superintendent.
County Clerk spokeswoman Marcia Ventura said that Mechur will receive a certificate stating that he will serve on the board by appointment.
About six school districts in the Los Angeles and Orange County area also saw canceled contests because of an insufficient number of candidates. Those who did qualify for the ballot will similarly be appointed.
Mechur seemed to have mixed feelings about his short-lived campaign.
“The nice thing is I don’t have to raise money to run a campaign,” Mechur said. “Even though I was running unopposed, it was important to let voters know about me and my positions.
“On the other hand, I think people who aren’t familiar with the schools might just find out someday that there is someone they don’t know anything about and wonder how they got there.”
Though his next two years on the board are automatic, Mechur said he will continue to remain active the next few months, attending political forums and events.
An architect by trade, Mechur was first appointed to the board in August 2007, replacing Bloomfield who vacated her seat a month prior after her husband accepted a job offer in Washington D.C.
Bloomfield was re-elected in November 2006 and was about three months into her term when she announced her impending departure.
Mechur is a long-time district volunteer, having worked on the Facilities Master Plan and serving on the Measure BB Advisory Committee.
He received endorsements from several political groups, including Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights and the Santa Monica Democratic Club.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 17, 2008. Read the original PDF.