Politics & Government

New Council Takes Oaths, Including Newcomer Lucan

Marketing executive sworn in as Novato City Council member; Denise Athas voted mayor and Pat Eklund voted as mayor pro tem; retiring Carole Dillon-Knutson bids goodbye.

The guard has been changed on the Novato City Council, and the inbox is stacked tall with ominous duties for the newly formed quintet.

Eric Lucan, a 30-year-old hotel marketing executive and Novato native, was sworn into office Tuesday night at by outgoing council member Carole Dillon-Knutson, who retired after 16 years. Mayor Madeline Kellner finished her rotation in the center seat and will go back to “council member” title as Denise Athas assumes the mayoral role.

Incumbent Jeanne MacLeamy, who finished second in the November election behind Lucan, and Kellner, who finished third, took oaths to commence their new terms.

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Lucan, who previously served on the city’s parks commission, has said repeatedly that he was humbled and honored by the support he received during the recent campaign. While sitting at the dais with his council mates Tuesday, he thanked his wife, Kiley, and his parents, John and Loretta, for their encouragement.

“I am very thrilled to give back to the city that has given so much to me over the years,” he said.

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Carole Dillon-Knutson received a nice ovation for her 16 years on the council, which came to an end Tuesday. She that she wouldn’t run for another term, and her friends and cohorts in October. Dillon-Knutson, who supported Lucan during the campaign, administered the oath to her young replacement.

“Now you have a duty to the residents of Novato,” she said to him. “You not only have a fiscal responsibility, but you have a responsibility to enhance the quality of life. Now, Novato comes first for you — just after family.”

In her final words from her council seat, Dillon-Knutson said, “I want to thank you for all the help. Nobody ever does these things alone, and thank you to the community for giving me the honor and the pleasure to help with this.”

The new council won’t have to grapple with the intense struggle over affordable housing for the new general plan update — one that practically paralyzed the city government for nearly a year — but it will have to dive into the same subject matter for the next state-mandated update. Also on the docket ahead are final plans for the new downtown city administrative offices, the possible development of the North Redwood Boulevard corridor between Old Town and San Marin Drive/Atherton Avenue, the controversial mixed-use plans at Hanna Ranch property and an ongoing budget deficit of more than $2.5 million.


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