COUNCIL FAILS TO AGREE ON A FILL-IN SUCCESSOR WILL TAKE SEAT SMYTH VACATED WHEN ELECTED TO THE ASSEMBLY.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- The Santa Clarita City Council was unable to agree at a special meeting Wednesday night on a successor to fill the seat vacated by Cameron Smyth, who was elected to the state Assembly.

Two members were ready to vote, but the two who were not pushed the discussion to Tuesday's council meeting.

``I want to check the veracity of (candidates') statements before I feel comfortable making a decision,'' Councilman Frank Ferry said. ``(And) Maria Gutzeit was never on my radar screen. I was extremely impressed.''

Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean favored appointing a ``caretaker'' who would not run in 2008, avoiding giving an appointee an incumbent's edge.

The council grilled the group, pared Dec. 1 from a field of 15 by a committee of local civic leaders. The hopefuls are retired sheriff's Chief Bob Spierer, city Planning Commissioner Bill Kennedy, Parks Commissioner Laurie Ender, Saugus High School Principal Bill Bolde and Gutzeit, president of the Newhall County Water District board.

Smyth's resignation took effect Monday, and the council's window for naming his successor or calling for a special election will close Jan. 3. Last month, the council opted to appoint Smyth's replacement rather than hold a special election, which could cost $175,000.

If a replacement is picked, the new council member would be installed at a special meeting Dec.19. Mayor Laurene Weste said she and Councilman Bob Kellar ``want to move'' and don't want a drawn-out process -- but if the council cannot agree, a special election would be held in June.

The council Wednesday night probed candidates' knowledge of pressing issues and whether they could devote long hours to the demanding job.

On Tuesday, the council also is due to select the city's mayor, usually a rotating position. Four candidates endorsed McLean, who is next in line, but Kennedy said he would support Kellar, a friend who nominated him to the Planning Commission.

Ferry, who nominated Ender to the Parks Commission, said his top three picks were Ender, Gutzeit and Spierer. Weste's list read Gutzeit, Spierer, Ender. Kellar was ready to vote but refused to say for whom.

Several residents stumped on behalf of Ender and Spierer. Gutzeit, an environmental regulations consultant, did not have a cheering section, but her in-depth knowledge across a wide spectrum of matters before the council scored her points.

Ferry asked for a transcript of the meeting so he could compare candidates' views side by side and pinpoint possible untruths.

Rules govern how council members can talk about this matter behind closed doors: No more than two council members can talk in private, and neither can share that discussion with a third member.

``There cannot be a series of conversations between one council member and two other individuals leading to a conclusion,'' City Attorney Carl Newton said.

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Photo:

Santa Clarita Councilman Frank Ferry, right, confers with City Manager Kenneth Pulskamp during Wednesday night's questioning of five finalists vying for the seat vacated by Cameron Smyth.

David Crane/Staff Photographer