Woodside taps Paul Goeld as mayor Woodside taps Paul Goeld as mayor (December 17, 2003)

By Andrea Gemmet
Almanac Staff Writer

Woodside Councilman Paul Goeld was unanimously selected as mayor by his colleagues at the December 9 meeting. He had served as mayor pro tempore this year which, according to the council's practice, put him next in line to wield the mayoral gavel.

The largely ceremonial post passed to Mr. Goeld, who represents the Woodside Hills neighborhood, at a festive Town Council meeting that convened during the town's annual volunteer reception. As members of Woodside's various advisory committees, commissions and boards noshed on catered hors d'oeuvres and tossed back locally made wine, Mr. Goeld thanked outgoing mayor Sue Boynton for her service to the town.

"Sue Boynton has done an absolutely superb job as mayor for the past year," he said.

He read an official proclamation recounting her years of public service to the town and Woodside Elementary School, as well as highlights from the more contentious issues the council grappled with during 2003.

"This was an absolutely the best year of all my service," Ms. Boynton said. "It's the highlight of my volunteerism. I'd encourage everyone who is involved in the town to stay in volunteerism. It gives you great satisfaction."

Mayor pro tem

The evening's only sour note came during the selection of the new mayor pro tem. Ms. Boynton nominated Joe Putnam, who, along with Deborah Gordon, had not yet held the post. Councilwoman Carroll Ann Hodges, who has locked horns with Mr. Putnam in the past over the council's code of ethics, nominated Ms. Gordon.

During the vote on Mr. Putnam's nomination, Councilman Pete Sinclair abstained and, after a tense pause, Ms. Gordon voted for Mr. Putnam. He won the vote 5-1, with Ms. Hodges opposed.

Ms. Gordon said later that she thought it would be best for the town if she voted for Mr. Putnam.

Ms. Hodges said she nominated Ms. Gordon because she supported the town's code of ethics, not because of any personal animosity toward Mr. Putnam.

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