-Editorial
The El Centro City Council voted on Jan. 6 to appoint Councilmember Michael Crankshaw as mayor and Claudia Camarena as mayor pro tem, completing the city’s annual reorganization more than a month later than usual and amid heightened public scrutiny.
Traditionally, the El Centro City Council conducts its reorganization in December, when members select a new mayor and mayor pro tem for the upcoming year. This year’s process was postponed, and the matter was ultimately addressed during the council’s first regular meeting of 2026.
The transition marked a departure from prior reorganizations, which typically include formal recognition and remarks honoring the outgoing mayor and mayor pro tem. No such acknowledgment occurred during Tuesday’s meeting. City Manager Robert Sawyer later clarified that a separate ceremony will be scheduled to formally recognize outgoing Mayor Sonia Carter and celebrate her accomplishments during her tenure as mayor.
During council discussion, Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin addressed the significance of leadership roles within city government, emphasizing that serving as mayor “is a privilege, not a right.” She said the conduct of elected officials—particularly actions taken in the public eye—reflects their character and sets expectations for city employees, residents, and the broader community.
Marroquin added that behavior outside public meetings is equally important, as it demonstrates a commitment to ethical leadership. She said council members have a responsibility to uphold high ethical standards, exercise sound moral judgment, and lead by example, calling the reorganization “a moment when we show our community whether we practice what we preach.”
She further stated that the mayor should be someone held in high regard by both the public and fellow council members, adding that city employees and residents deserve leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, and respect.
Although Marroquin did not name specific incidents, her remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to recently released body-camera footage involving Carter. The footage shows Carter speaking with El Centro police officers during the arrest of her son-in-law following a Dec. 16 traffic stop. According to authorities, the driver was taken into custody on suspicion of reckless driving and evading officers after failing to pull over.
Carter addressed the incident publicly during the meeting, explaining that she was awakened around 1 a.m. by police activity outside her home and said she was disoriented when she went outside. She acknowledged telling officers, “I was the boss,” but stated that the remark was not meant literally and did not reflect her character or intent.
Carter said she contacted both the city manager and the police chief within 12 hours of the incident to request a meeting with the involved officers, during which she said she apologized. She denied seeking special treatment, calling claims that she asked officers for favors “absolutely false,” and explained that her comments were intended to question why a vehicle was being towed from in front of her residence.
She said she has served the community “wholeheartedly” and apologized to city employees if her conduct was perceived as inappropriate. Carter added that she would accept whatever decision the council made regarding leadership roles for the remainder of her term.
Following the vote, Crankshaw thanked his fellow council members and the community for their support. He also expressed appreciation for Carter’s service, emphasizing the importance of moving forward.
“As we move into 2026, I look forward to the council doing the people’s business without looking backward,” Crankshaw said. He added that the council should refocus on its core mission of building “the best community we can for the city of El Centro.”
Crankshaw noted that while the mayor holds a ceremonial title, responsibility for leadership and decision-making rests collectively with the entire council. He said he looks forward to working collaboratively with all members to address the city’s priorities.
Crankshaw was appointed to the El Centro City Council in April 2025 to fill a vacant seat, receiving a unanimous 4-0 vote. He brings more than three decades of public service experience to the role, with a background spanning law enforcement, municipal leadership, and higher education.
From 1988 to 2013, Crankshaw served the City of El Centro Police Department, rising to the rank of Police Commander. He later served as Chief of Police in Brawley and held interim leadership positions in Imperial. In addition to his law enforcement career, Crankshaw has worked in academia as an adjunct professor and Interim Academy Director at Imperial Valley College.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix, completed advanced law enforcement training at the University of Virginia, and is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the West Point Leadership Program.
As El Centro enters a new year under new leadership, the council faces ongoing challenges and opportunities, including public trust, economic development, public safety, and community engagement. The reorganization underscores a renewed focus on accountability and collaboration as the city looks ahead to 2026.
