Santa Maria City Council Swears In Ricardo Batalla For Vacant District One Seat

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The City Of Santa Maria has filled its vacant council seat, left open when former District One councilman Carlos Escobedo abruptly resigned last month.

The new city councilman was born and raised in the district he now represents.

Ricardo “Richard” Batalla was appointed and sworn in at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Numerous supporters stayed late including his wife and kids, several to speak in support of his appointment.

“He is here to really represent the youth and the families in the community,” said one Santa Maria resident, Jaimie Cruz. “I just wanted to say that on behalf of me as a new resident from Santa Maria wanted to make sure I support Ricardo Batalla for city Council.”

A few other residents shared their own opinions and some alternative suggestions for how the council should be handling the issue of the vacant seat.

“We feel it's extremely important to fill the City Council District One vacancy with an applicant that will be responsive to the needs of all District One residents,” said resident Gary Hall. “Along with the residents of some 650 mobile homes, 650 mobile homes are in District One.”

One resident said he felt Santa Maria could afford the special election, to give the decision to the people who live in the district.

“The argument that it would be too expensive is not true in this case,” said Gale McNeeley. “$14,500 to let the people of district one choose someone is not much to pay.”

But at the end of the evening Batalla was formally appointed and sworn in.

“I was born right here in district one on West Williams Street and attended Oakley Elementary,” says Santa Maria District One’s new interim City Councilman Ricardo “Richard” Batalla. “I currently serve as a Youth Development director for the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, where I oversee programs serving over 2000 students supervising more than 150 staff. I'm also proudly bilingual in Spanish and English, allowing me to better connect with and represent our diverse community.”

Batalla will be serving at least through the primary election this November.

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