Mayor passes the gavel

It’s been a long 12 years on the council for Dave Sullivan. And as he began his last address as the mayor of Huntington Beach, it was only natural he got emotional and couldn’t speak. After all, it’s been said he cried when he saw a Huntington Beach resident spit on a Marine.

He prefaced his “real speech” after a perfunctory state-of-the-city address with “it’s a full moon today, so it will be a free fall.”

But when the time came to pass the gavel, Sullivan seemed relieved. “I’m free at last,” he said at a reception to welcome new and reelected council members and new Mayor Gil Coerper on Monday.

While Sullivan had been willing to let go, Coerper patiently waited to fulfill his dream of being mayor.

As Coerper fumbled slightly with his opening remarks as the new mayor, he admitted he was nervous.

“How many times in your life can you say you were the mayor of Huntington Beach, the greatest city in the world?,” he said.

As Sullivan’s tenure with the city came to a close, many came to applaud his contributions. Several wished the charming Irishman from Boston that the “wind may always be at his back.”

It wasn’t a surprise why. Sullivan, who was twice mayor and a three-term council member, dove into city politics in 1990, campaigning hard for Measure C, which gave voters the choice to approve projects on the city’s parks and beaches if they are more than a certain size and scale.

Coerper, on the other hand, served for almost 40 years as a police officer before turning to politics. He was reelected in November to serve a four-year term.

His goals as the new mayor prominently feature public safety. He also wants to build a new gun range and a senior center in Central Park (a cause that Sullivan fervently championed) and push for a cleaner and livelier downtown while attracting a military and air show to Huntington Beach.

Coerper’s speech was peppered with salutes to war veterans and soldiers. A Korean War veteran, Coerper is deeply committed to honoring and supporting men and women in uniform.

Coerper believes he has a tough act to follow. “He was very clever,” he said, adding “I’ll miss his quirks.”

Sullivan enlivened long, drawn-out council meetings with his charm and trademark Boston accent, and fought hard for issues he believed in.

Coerper is well-known for sticking to his guns, too. His vote to build a desalination plant in Huntington Beach upset scores of residents but that didn’t make him shy away from the subject.

He’s also known for how his humility can disarm and win over his enemies.

“The mayor is the most caring and gentlest councilman I have ever met,” said Councilwoman Debbie Cook, who’s set to become mayor at the end of next year. “You struggle with decisions because you care so much.”

Councilman Don Hansen agreed. “We are here to support you and make sure a lot of these plans come to fruition.”

“You attend everything and are always available when we need you,” Councilwoman Jill Hardy said.

Councilwoman Cathy Green and Coerper are longtime friends with similar political viewpoints.

“You have taught me as much I have taught you,” she said. “We have gone to so many of these events together, sharing driving duties.”

Coerper’s responsiveness and attendance at city events have won him the admiration of many in the city. Monday night, he promised to continue the strong civic tradition that Huntington Beach is known for.

“I may struggle sometimes, and I hope my council members will understand,” he added.

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