New Councilmember Enjoying Big December

It took a little longer than he might have liked, but Brad Marsh is now on the Larkspur City Council.

Marsh was appointed unanimously Wednesday night by the four sitting councilmembers to fill the seat vacated by Joan Lundstrom. He will serve a two-year term.

"The tax code will be something I'll want to get digging in on, but we've got a lot of other things, the Marin Energy Authority. There are a lot of people who are still concerned about the Central Marin Sanitary Agency and the Ross Valley Sanitary District and we want to resolve any conflicts there."

Marsh was a candidate for City Council on the Nov. 8 ballot, but finished third in voting behind Mayor Larry Chu and newcomer Ann Morrison. He did receive strong support from the local business community and from Lundstrom and outgoing councilmember Kathy Hartzell. Hartzell reiterated her support for Marsh during Wednesday's vote.

"It's been a big month," Marsh said.

Marsh was one of five applicants interviewed last week. He had to hurry home after the interview to join his wife, who gave birth to their third child, Scott, on Thursday morning at Marin General Hospital.

"The Council did a great job on the interview process. There were a lot of great candidates," Marsh said. "I was as much here as I could be knowing I was going to have a baby born the next day. I'm glad I was good enough to get the appointment."

Other applicants included new resident Ryan Johnson, Marin Airporter president Grace Hughes, Larkspur's Business Citizen of the Year Peter Riopel and Greenbrae resident Kevin Hara.

Lundstrom retired from public service Oct. 15 to enjoy life with her new husband Dr. Lou Schwartz. Her resignation came too late to put her seat on the November ballot and the City Council chose to appoint a successor instead of holding a special election.

Lundstrom was the first woman to serve on the Larkspur City Council when she was elected in 1971 and became the city's first female mayor. She was elected eight times to the City Council and served seven terms as mayor.

A celebration will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the American Legion Hall in honor of Lundstrom and Hartzell. Marsh and Morrison will be sworn in to the City Council at a special meeting at City Hall following the celebration.