Pedigo wins appointment to Marysville council
I started my career at JC Penney at the bottom. I was promoted to department supervisor, first in the shoe department, then to the men's department. ... It is time we have the voice of the average working class citizen on the City Council.
— Chris Pedigo in his application.
After failing last week to name a replacement for now-Mayor Ricky Samayoa, the Marysville City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday night to appoint former candidate Chris Pedigo.
Pedigo lost a three-way race for two council seats in November.
Citing what he called "an embarrassment of riches" in the three applicants, Councilman Jim Kitchen broke the deadlock.
Kitchen had supported Samayoa's first choice, Ami Scarfe, an attorney with the Yuba County Department of Child Support Services and a former planning commissioner, saying she "would be a better appointment."
But with the prospect of a $30,000 special election in June, he said he was comfortable with Pedigo.
The state deadline for the appointment was Feb. 2.
In arguing for Pedigo, Councilmen Dale Whitmore and Michael Selvidge cited the 1,119 votes he garnered in November.
"We just finished an election," said Whitmore, pointing out that Pedigo's third-place finish made him the best choice.
"I feel the same way too," said Selvidge. "I received numerous phone calls requesting that Chris Pedigo be placed in that position."
"Over 1,000 people in the city of Marysville felt Mr. Pedigo is right for the job," he said.
Samayoa said after Tuesday's meeting that he voted against Pedigo because he felt strongly that Scarfe had better qualifications.
Yuba College Fire Academy Instructor Brad Hudson also applied and received consideration last week.
Pedigo, who was sworn in Tuesday night, will be up for election in 2014.
