84-YEAR-OLD RELINQUISHES SEAT TO NEW COUNCILMAN.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

Although City Councilman James Henderson is gone from the council dais, his time in office is expected to be recognized with a room named after him at the planned new City Hall.

Henderson, a city founder and the eldest councilman in Westlake Village, stepped aside Wednesday for 23-year-old Chris Mann, the youngest candidate elected to the council. Mann won by 20 votes in the Nov. 2 election.

``I thank you for making the past four years probably the most memorable in my life,'' said Henderson, 84, who spoke with emotion Wednesday evening at a packed City Council meeting. ``I will miss all of you and the challenge that goes with the job.''

Henderson, who helped lead the city to incorporation in 1981, thanked city staff members for hard work and professionalism. He thanked his campaign staff and his wife, Lucille, for their help.

``I thank you all again. Good night and goodbye,'' said Henderson, who left the podium amid a standing ovation.

Supporters and officials filled all seats and lined the back of the room during about 1-1/2 hours of ceremonies. The crowd included Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and council members from Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills.

Supporters honored Councilwoman Betty De Santis as outgoing mayor and praised Henderson for his work and dedication to the community since his arrival in Westlake Village in 1963.

De Santis easily skated into a second council term last month but relinquished her honorary mayor's role Wednesday.

Mann, in his first official act on the council, nominated Councilman Iraj Broomand as mayor, and Broomand was chosen. Mark Rutherford was named mayor pro tem.

Both took office in 1997.

Official certified results showed De Santis won 1,030 votes, Mann got 756 votes and Henderson 736.

A recount requested by a Henderson supporter was completed Wednesday and showed that De Santis picked up four extra votes, Henderson gained three and Mann one, said Grace Chavez, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County registrar.

``It wasn't sufficient to have the election results recertified,'' she said about the change.

De Santis presented Henderson, who served one term, a proclamation of intention to name the community room after him in the proposed $8.7 million City Hall and library complex.

``His seat in our heart is secured,'' Broomand said. ``He will always be with us.''

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PHOTO James Henderson - Founding father