Rick Edge was appointed Tuesday to replace recently deceased
Mayor Dan Reed on the City Council. Edge is a real estate agent in
Carmel and currently chairs the city’s planning commission.
By Anthony Ha
San Juan Bautista – Rick Edge was appointed Tuesday to replace recently deceased Mayor Dan Reed on the City Council. Edge is a real estate agent in Carmel and currently chairs the city’s planning commission.
“I really like the idea of Planning Commissioner Edge moving up from the planning commission,” said Councilman Arturo Medina, who served as mayor at Tuesday’s meeting. “I know he’s ready for the next level.”
Edge, agriculture industry veteran Jolene Cosio and Santa Clara sheriff’s Capt. Edward Lavaerone all turned in applications to fill Reed’s seat on the council. All three candidates were interviewed by councilmembers Medina, Priscilla Hill and George Dias; Councilman Chuck Geiger was absent.
The first question was about the candidates’ thoughts on the city’s water improvement project. Earlier in the meeting, City Manager Jan McClintock said she has received verbal confirmation from the Economic Development Agency that the city’s $3.7 million grant has been approved, and that she expects to receive the final grant cover sheet soon.
“I’m glad to see it’s moving along,” Edge said. He added that he doesn’t know much about the project beyond what he’s read in local newspapers, saying, “I know enough not to trust all of that.”
The candidates were also asked about their availability to attend up to four meetings per month. Edge said he knows that there’s a serious time commitment. “That’s why I didn’t put my hat in the ring during the election,” he said.
According to his application, Edge has lived in the Mission City since 1990, and been member of the city’s planning commission since 1997. Edge also wrote that he’s worked as a newspaper reporter, a police officer and an insurance salesman.
After the interviews, the council deliberated briefly before settling on Edge.
“Rick already has great knowledge,” Dias said. “What I’m trying to say is, it’ll be a smooth transition.”
