Modestan holding 2 offices at once

John Gunderson was sworn in Tuesday as a Modesto city councilman but was still waffling about resigning from the Stanislaus Union School District board.

The 54-year-old substitute teacher tried to submit his resignation to the Stanislaus Union school board Monday evening, but officials said he needed to give his letter to the county superintendent of schools because of district policy, district officials said Tuesday.

"He still has to submit a letter to Tom Changnon," said Superintendent Wayne Brown of Stanislaus Union. "When he spoke with me (Tuesday), it sounded like he was going to go forward with it."

As of late Tuesday afternoon, he hadn't followed through.

When reached Tuesday night, Gunderson said, "I need to talk to people. I need a little bit of time."

City officials said they thought the matter was settled after Gunderson spoke with City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood early this week and after Stanislaus Union officials told the city Tuesday that he had resigned.

A state law prohibits elected officials from holding office with two public entities that share the same territory, if there is a significant conflict of duties and loyalties.

Officials from the city and school district agreed that council members should not serve on school boards in Modesto, and school trustees should not serve on the council.

"I don't think that anybody can hold two elective offices and do right by both of them," Mayor Jim Ridenour said.

Stanislaus Union Board Member Nate Howard said he would agree with Gunderson following through with his resignation.

"I did quite a bit of homework on this, and that is the right thing to do," Howard said. "I feel that would be a conflict of interest … to have an elected official (on the council) and the school board."

Board member Karin Reenstierna said, "It's not about John, but I think resigning is the right thing to do."

Gunderson's story seems to have sprung from tough economic times in the region. The 54-year-old substitute teacher made a long-shot bid for a council seat that pays $2,000 a month — a salary that will help him pay the bills for his family, he has said.

Despite spending less than $200 on his campaign, he was able to defeat political novice Philip Moyer in the Nov. 8 election. Gunderson didn't learn until after the election, however, that council members are not entitled to health benefits.

If he resigns from the school board, he faces trying to pay out of pocket for health insurance.

In the event Gunderson follows through with resigning from the school board, Stanislaus Union officials plan to discuss the process of filling the vacancy at the Dec. 15 board meeting. Two years remain on his term.

Also taking the oath of office Tuesday were council newcomer Dave Cogdill Jr., Councilman Dave Lopez and Councilwoman Steph-anie Burnside. Cogdill follows in the footsteps of his father, Dave Cogdill Sr., a former Modesto councilman who later served in the Assembly and became the Republican leader in the state Senate.

Councilman Garrad Marsh and Brad Hawn bade farewell to eight years of council service. The two are headed for a runoff in February to decide who succeeds Ridenour as mayor.

Marsh said that Modesto is one of the most fiscally sound cities in a state, with many communities in financial distress.

"We have taken the difficult steps that had to be taken to do things right," he said.

Hawn said he was proud of the work done in coordination with city staff.

"Even though the economy is in the tank, it's a great time to retool and become what we want to be as a community," he said.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or (209) 578-2321.