A contentious Redlands City Council meeting on Dec. 17 blocked Councilmember Denise Davis, representing District 1, from serving as mayor. Davis, the council’s only female member and a representative since 2018, was slated to assume the position under a rotational system adopted two years ago. The council’s decision to revert to its prior nomination-based selection process has sparked widespread criticism, with accusations of political maneuvering, broken promises, and inflammatory remarks.
The council voted 4-1 to overturn the rotational mayoral system—instituted in 2022 to ensure equitable leadership—and return to a system where members nominate and vote on the position. Davis was the sole dissenting vote. Despite Councilmember Paul Barich (District 5) nominating her for mayor, the vote failed 2-3, with Councilmembers Eddie Tejeda (District 2), Mario Saucedo (District 3), and Marc Shaw (District 4) voting against her nomination.
Tejeda, who previously served as mayor for two years and benefitted from the rotational model, introduced the resolution to abandon the rotational system. “This item was placed on the agenda by me,” Tejeda said. “Serving as mayor and mayor pro tem is an honor and a privilege and should carry either the majority or unanimous endorsement of the council. Changing this practice to grant each of us the opportunity to serve was a mistake.” This is the same council meeting that Tejada was captured on camera calling Redlands resident Jennifer Maravillas “A low person,” which ultimately made its way across Instagram–garnering thousands of views…