SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Councilwoman-elect Myrtle Cole was sworn into office today, filling a five-month vacancy on the nine-member San Diego City Council.
Cole, a labor coordinator and former community college police lieutenant, defeated longtime community activist Dwayne Crenshaw in a special runoff election last month, earning 54 percent of the vote.
She filled the seat once held by Tony Young, who resigned at the beginning of the year to become CEO of the San Diego and Imperial Counties chapter of the American Red Cross.
Southeast San Diego residents have been served by District 4 staff, supervised by Council President Todd Gloria.
Cole is expected to provide Mayor Bob Filner with an ally in the city's legislative branch and give Democrats a 5-4 majority on the technically nonpartisan body. She hugged the mayor after she took the oath of office from City Clerk Elizabeth Maland, flanked by family and supporters.
She thanked God, and community, labor and faith leaders for their help in getting her elected.
``I am so grateful, I am so honored,'' Cole said. ``We have an a lot of work to do.''
Council President Todd Gloria proposed to appoint her to the panel's Infrastructure, Land Use and Housing, and Public Safety and Neighborhood Services committees. He also suggested making her a second alternate on the San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors and a city representative on the City-County Reinvestment Task Force.
``The appointments I have proposed take into account her focus on neighborhood services, and know she will well serve Council District 4 and the entire city of San Diego,'' Gloria said.
He said her colleagues will vote on the appointments next week.
The council also certified the results of the election.
