[Editor’s Note: Hardly anyone in Culver City public life enjoys fast-paced repartee more than the newly elected No. 2 leader in city government, as you may shortly see. Below is the first interview he granted.]
Unlike his frisky but less experienced teammates on the City Council, Andy Weissman twice has served as mayor of the community, but never has played the hardly-ever-watched role of vice mayor.
Question: What does a vice mayor do?
Mr. Weissman: “The vice mayor has a legendary list of responsibilities, much like those of the vice president of the United States. As nearly as I can tell, this means I get to wave when our new mayor, Mehaul O’Leary, is unavailable to wave. Beyond that, I really am not sure.
“It’s like being first runnerup in Miss America. I am available if Mr. America stumbles. I am there to catch him. Or step on him and move on.”
Question: Are you nervous about stepping into public for the first time as a vice mayor?
Mr. Weissman: “Petrified. I almost did not get to sleep last night worrying about all of the responsibility I now have as vice mayor.”
Question: Seriously, more or less, what does a vice mayor do?
Mr. Weissman: “Unless Mayor O’Leary needs to excuse himself for a restroom visit and a vote is called for, I get to call for the vote. Other than that, if the mayor is unwilling or unable, there really is nothing for me to do.”
Question: Are you required to notify the city when you are going on vacation in case an emergency arises?
Mr. Weissman: “That way the Secretary of State is next in line when I am gone. It really is like being vice president. There are no duties. If you look into the City Charter, none is mentioned. Historically, vice mayors have not done anything.
“At a ribbon-cutting, the vice mayor will stand to the right of the mayor and hold the ribbon while the mayor wields the scissor and cuts the ribbon. I am his right hand man, which is why I don’t stand to his left.”
Question: When you got home from Monday night’s meeting, did you and Doneil sit down and choose your favorite vice mayors in recent history?
Mr. Weissman: (A long pause followed.) “Well, I am clearly my favorite vice mayor in recent history.”
Question: Is there any way you can improve on the performance of your previous elevations to power?
Mr. Weissman: “While I have been mayor twice, I never have been a vice mayor. This, I believe, is why Jim Clarke nominated me so I could fill out my button collection with a pin for Council member, mayor, and now vice mayor. This way, in my trophy case, I will have the full coterie of pins.”
Question: Is assuming the perceived awesome responsibilities akin to driving across Europe blindfolded?
Mr. Weissman: “It is not anything like that because as vice mayor, you are not actually doing anything. Basically, this is just like sitting there blindfolded.”
Question: Do you have any engagements on your calendar between today and April 28 of next year?
Mr. Weissman: “I have just turned 65, so that is off the calendar. No, I don’t think I have anything on my agenda except for fracking.”
