The San Bernardino City Clerks Since the 1905 Charter

By Michael Reiter, Attorney at Law

There have been just seven San Bernardino City Clerks since 1903, when Harry Allison became City Clerk for the pre-Charter City of San Bernardino.  The original 1905 Charter of the City of San Bernardino kept the existing City Clerk until the 1907 election.  Harry Allison won that first City Clerk’s election, and served until 1911, when S.G. Batchelor became City Clerk.  John H. Osborne became City Clerk in the next election in 1915, and served as City Clerk until at least 1950.  In 1951, Jack Felton was elected City Clerk.  He served at least until 1970.  In 1971, Deputy City Clerk Lucille Goforth was elected as City Clerk.  She served until the late 1970s.  In 1979, Shauna Clark was elected City Clerk.   Rachel Mendoza Clark was elected City Clerk in 1991, and again in 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007.  She is now retiring, and one of the following will be elected City Clerk, only the eighth City Clerk since 1903: William Valle, Amelia Sanchez-Lopez, Gigi Hanna, Esther Jimenez, or Peggi Hazlett.  I would expect any of the candidates, if they win, to be in office for four or five terms, so it is important that voters examine the candidates and their positions.  Should the next City Clerk serve four terms, the time period between 1903 and 2028 (125 years), there will have been only eight City Clerks, an average of only one City Clerk for every 15.625 years.

Voters decided by an overwhelming percentage that they wanted to vote for City Clerk.  Make sure to make an informed decision on the candidate, as voters have only changed City Clerks six times since 1903.

The information you obtain at this blog is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established by reading or commenting on this blog. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Copyright 2011 Michael Reiter, Attorney at Law.

Michael Reiter, Attorney at Law.

Address : 3o0 E. State St.#517

                   Redlands, CA 92373

Telephone: (909) 296-6708

Email: michael@michaelreiterlaw.com

Website: http://michaelreiterlaw.com