Steve McShane announces resignation from Salinas City Council
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- A longtime Salinas City Councilman has abruptly announced his resignation during a city council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Before the council meeting ended on Tuesday, McShane said that he made the decision to prioritize his faith and family over "dysfunctional elected leadership in the City of Salinas."
"The nature of public service has changed dramatically, and I don’t like the growing
culture of distrust, divide and polarization on our City Council," McShane said in a meeting on Tuesday night. "I choose my faith in God, wife, kids and aging parents over elected office,”
On Wednesday afternoon, McShane clarified his comments about claims of dysfunction within elected leaders in Salinas.
" I think certain members of the council have been critical of me and my role for the Chamber of Commerce. I think it's unfounded. I no longer work for the chamber and quite frankly I was acting on direction of our City Attorney and City Manager. I have no issue there. There are some members of the council looking to stir the pot. Whether it's levying lawsuits or complaints or adding to the work of the staff with investigations internally, that's on them. My departure from the council is prioritizing my family and quite frankly pushing back against that dysfunctional leadership. 'That which steps us back doesn't move us forward."
Salinas City Councilman Steve McShane said
McShane said he will be leaving his position effective on May 10. He has been with the Salinas City Council since 2010.
“Steve worked harder than anyone for Salinas and he accomplished a lot for our community," Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig said in a statement. "I commend him for prioritizing what matters most.
Salinas District 5 Councilman Jose Andrew Sandoval said that it is an opportunity for community members to step up and fill his seat.
"I think becomes a little stagnant if you have the same people in those seats," Sandoval said. "There's not any new ideas, some of the difficult battles that we're facing.”
Sandoval also claimed that there has been issue with his expenditures.
"It did not come as a surprise to me," Sandoval said. "Just because I know there's been some issues about maybe some of his expenditures whether it should have been paid by taxpayers."
KION checked with the Monterey County District Attorney's Office about the allegations. A spokesperson with the District Attorney's Office says it has been looked into and no wrongdoing was found and there is no further investigation.
McShane represents District 3 which includes most of South Salinas including Hartnell College and Oldtown Salinas.
With this announcement, there will be four council seats and the Mayoral position up for grabs in the November 2024 election.
City officials said they will host a public reception to honor McShane for his service prior to
the May 7th City Council meeting at 3:00 P.M.
