Joe Eddy McDonald and Kris Valstad were announced as mayor and vice-mayor during the swearing-in regalia last Tuesday evening, which included Ed Balico making some odd comments…

New Hercules council eager to get to work, mindful of sobering times
By Tom Lochner

Joe Eddy McDonald began his inaugural stint as Hercules’ mayor this week with panache, conjuring up a bagpipe trio that played “Scotland the Brave” at his swearing-in ceremony.

“You haven’t seen this in West County,” McDonald said afterward.

The pipers, a contingent from the Piedmont Highlanders Drums & Pipes — Lloyd Christiansen, Jim Spiva and Dr. David MacDonald, who also is McDonald’s physician — arguably were the highlight of an evening full of proclamations and speeches touting the virtues to which Hercules lays claim: an innovative city staff, avant-garde urban planning and a diverse populace. The speakers, who included all the council members, at times tempered their exuberance with sober talk of a struggling economy, exacerbated locally by the state raid on redevelopment funds — in Hercules, more than $1 million this fiscal year.

Councilman Kris Valstad was sworn in as vice mayor. Outgoing Councilwoman Charleen Raines, who did not seek re-election in November, looked back on her four-year tenure, noting that a tract in Franklin Canyon once slated for development has been acquired by the Muir Heritage Land Trust. Her successor, Donald Kuehne, spoke of the “roller-coaster ride” that culminated in his victory by just 26 votes Nov. 4 over John Delgado for the third available seat; incumbents Ed Balico and outgoing Mayor Joanne Ward won the other two.

Ward noted that Hercules has 60 projects in various stages of completion, which can be read about on the city’s recently revamped Web site, www.ci.hercules.ca.us.

McDonald, the top vote-getter in the 2006 election, paid homage to his family, including his granddaughter, daughter and wife, Mary Ann, whom he met when he was 14, and mother.

He also singled out San Pablo City Councilman and presumptive soon-to-be San Pablo Mayor Leonard McNeil, whom he has known even longer than his wife; the two grew up together in North Richmond and went to the same schools: Verde Elementary in Richmond, Helms Junior High — now Middle School — in San Pablo, and Richmond High.

San Pablo’s council will have its swearing-in ceremony Monday.

McDonald reminisced fondly about his youth, thanking his father for instilling in him a lifelong appreciation for “education, hard work and honesty.” The past also presented “challenges, due to the color of our skin,” said McDonald, who is African-American, without dwelling on the point.

“I have witnessed an evolution in this area,” he said.

Balico made the parallel between Hercules and a changing America.

“We have a brand-new president who is a minority, like me,” said Balico, who is Filipino-American.

Some people are jealous of Hercules and are “trying to break us apart,” Balico said, apparently referring to the council.

And yet, “We stuck together,” he said. “We represent our city very well.”

Because Hercules has planned ahead, it is poised to receive public works-related grants under the incoming presidential administration, Balico said.

“The other cities out there, they did not do (anything).”