It appears San Mateo won't have a mayor anytime soon. Discontent over the lack of a new mayor has been growing, largely due to the refusal of Councilmembers Lisa Diaz Nash and Rob Newsom to allow Councilmember Amourence Lee to take over as the new mayor despite her rotating tenure.
The actions of Diaz Nash and Newsom have sparked backlash from residents and officials in the county and surrounding cities amid a city that is increasingly divided.
This Wednesday night at the regular meeting of the San Mateo City Council, the topic was central, a parade of residents came to the central building to offer their support to Councilwoman Lee and express their sorrow, anger and frustration at what is happening.
At the meeting, Diaz Nash, supported by Newsom - the second cousin of the governor of California - said to stick to the fundamentals, wait until there is a fifth council member so that a new mayor can be voted on, because, she said, it would not be right for the missing council member not to give his opinion on who should take the position.
In a long session that lasted until dawn on Thursday, despite the fact that the four councillors did not agree, it was immediately decided that on Monday 12 December it would be decided which of the nine current candidates would occupy the available seat on the Council, in order to subsequently vote for a new mayor.
As the hearings progress and the days pass, the polarization and division among residents has become increasingly evident through social media, with some supporting Diaz Nash and Newsom and others supporting Lee and Adam Loraine, councilman for San Mateo's 5th District.
Doubts, repetitive comments, awkward silences, breaks, and dozens of residents giving their points of view marked the night that seemed to lead nowhere.