Hawaiian Gardens : Sher Chosen Mayor, 4-0

To the surprise of newly elected Mayor Rosalie Sher, the yearly reorganization of the Hawaiian Gardens City Council went smoothly Tuesday night.

It had appeared there could be fireworks, when then-Mayor Kathleen Navejas indicated she would seek another term. Two weeks ago, then-Mayor Pro Tem Donald Schultze--who was in line to be the next mayor--sent a letter to his colleagues saying he would nominate Sher for the ceremonial position of mayor and would oppose Navejas.

Sher was elected by a 4-0 vote, with Councilman Richard Vineyard abstaining. Sher nominated Navejas as mayor pro tem. Navejas was elected by a 3-2 vote.

“I was shocked it went so well,” Sher said. “In spite of the letter Don sent, I had no idea how it would turn out.”

Sher, 66, was elected to the council in 1984 and served a term as mayor pro tem from 1985 until 1986, when Navejas was elected to the council and became mayor.