Atherton Swears In New City Council Members

Elizabeth Lewis and Cary Wiest were officially sworn in Wednesday night at the Atherton city council meeting and it was right back to business with a full agenda.

The Heritage Room filled up quickly, with standing room only available just minutes before Lewis, in her role as vice mayor, called the meeting to order at precisely 7 p.m.

Atherton city clerk Theresa DellaSanta declared the results of Nov. 6's election for city council and the three measures, one of which failed.

Lewis was selected to be mayor and Jerry Carlson, who served as Atherton's mayor in 2009, was voted in as vice mayor.

"I am humbled and honored and will do my best for the town and justify the confidence shown by the residents for electing me to a second term," Lewis said. "We will develop toward a more collaborative council and do what is best for the town."

Atherton Chief of Police introduced and swore in Chris Mitchell as the newest member of the police department.

The Mountain View native served two tours of duty in Iraq, earning a Distinguished Honor award after his company was involved in a major battle in 2003. He spent the past five years as an officer in Santa Cruz.

an attempt to build a library at Holbrook-Palmer Park, failed. The council reported that $489,000 was spent on the library project, which was to replace the current library located next to the Town Center.

The Friends of Holbrook-Palmer Park, which ran the Yes on Measure F campaign came forward and donated the money they had left over to a 501C3 Atherton Committee Center Capital Fund, which started the fundraising for the new town center.

The new Town Center, to be built primarily by private funds, was approved by voters through Measure L. It's possible a library could be built in conjunction with that project.

Meanwhile, Carlson said, the current library still needs repairs and will likely remain in its current home for several more years.

which also passed, gives the Menlo-Atherton Little League program, through private funds, the go-ahead to improve the baseball field at Holbrook-Palmer that will include a 200-seat, covered stadium, additional restrooms and additional parking.

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