One veteran face. One still like- new face.

This is the way this evening’s mayoral election by the City Council is supposed to turn out according to City Hall policy, known for its fungibility, not to mention its unreliability.

Don’t bet more than a used bubble gum wrapper.

Within the first hour of the single-topic 7 o’clock meeting in Council Chambers, Vice Mayor Jeff Cooper should advance to the mayor’s chair and Thomas Small, starting his second Council season, should be the vice mayor.

Hillary also was a two-time cinch for the White House.

What is guaranteed is that the coming one-year mayoral term heavily will differ from Jim Clarke’s enormously high-energy, sky-level profile for the past 12 months.

Mr. Cooper, Mr. Congeniality, will, however, match Mr. Clarke for gladhanding. But his personality as a banker is in a noticeably lower key.

Prospective Vice Mayor Small explained the policy that is intended to govern the rotation of Council members.
“The policy is that the vice mayor shall become mayor,” said Mr. Small.  “The vice mayor will be a person who has not served as vice mayor before or for the longest time. If there are two Council members who have not served as vice mayor before, the one who drew more votes in the last election shall prevail.”

When Mr. Small and Goren Eriksson were elected to the City Council a year ago this month, Mr. Small attracted more votes, and that is why he is expected to become Culver City’s No. 1 ceremonial officer.

By this plan, Mr. Eriksson will be promoted to vice mayor next April.

Of the master plan Mr. Small said, “This is a policy, and it always can be changed by a vote of the majority of the Council.”

Can it be changed?

He chuckled. “You never know,” he said. “This is the question that elicits nervous laughter from all Council members.

“In our system in Culver City, everyone deserves a chance to be vice mayor and mayor.

“What I would volunteer, that I don’t have to volunteer, is that I am very proud that we have had Meghan Sahli-Wells as our activist female mayor in the past. If there is an opportunity in the future for her to serve as mayor,” said Mr. Small, “I would welcome that.”