By DJ Becker/The Madera News January 16th, 2025

Calls and emails from concerned Madera residents managed to help resolve the city council’s divisive and potentially costly issue of filling the vacant seat in District 1, after the council impasse and the cost of the special election came to light.  Many residents had voiced their dismay, suggesting the city council now “stop the squabble and just do their jobs.”

The vacancy was created when Cece Gallegos narrowly won election to Mayor of Madera, in the four-way November election. 

The city council had nominated two well-qualified candidates, Tim Riche and Rohi Zacharia to fill the seat in December but the council was repeatedly deadlocked, voting 3 to 3 on which one to choose. Even declining the city attorney’s suggestion of an impartial coin toss.  According to the Madera County Elections Department, had the impasse continued the seat would have proceeded to a special election costing city taxpayers an estimated $40k or more. 

Councilwoman Anita Evans made the motion to move the election item from D-4, late in the evening to the top of the agenda, citing her desire to respect the time and schedules of the residents in the gathered crowd. 

Tim Riche rose to speak first at the podium and said he and fellow nominee Zacharia had discussed the impasse and had mutually come to the conclusion that proceeding with a costly special election wasn’t appropriate or in the best financial interest of the community.  Riche then said he withdrew his application for consideration, while the room of surprised but appreciative residents commended his selfless action and broke into a round of applause.  

The city council then appointed Zacharia to fill the District 1 seat. 

Zacharia accepted the position but politely declined to be seated immediately, saying he would like to be more fully prepared for his first city council meeting and would be, when he took his seat representing District 1 on February 5th.  Another round of applause swept the room before the relieved residents left the council chambers.

The withdrawal of Riche from consideration spared the city council from having to vote on item D-4, and either attempt to again vote to appoint a candidate or call the special election. 

 See the attached agenda item for complete details. https://www.madera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/D-4-01.15.25-Filling-District-1-Vacancy.pdf