-Editorial
Michael Crankshaw was officially sworn in as the newest member of the El Centro City Council during a special meeting held on Monday, April 21. Crankshaw fills the vacancy left by former Council Member Tomas Oliva, who resigned earlier this year.
The El Centro City Council unanimously appointed Crankshaw following a selection process that included public interviews and deliberation. A longtime resident of El Centro, Crankshaw brings experience in public service and community engagement to the position.
In the same meeting, the Council voted to select Sonia Carter as the new Mayor of El Centro. Carter, who has served on the Council since 2020, takes the mayoral role as part of the city’s rotational system. She previously held the position of mayor pro tem and took over the meeting’s leadership after Oliva’s departure.
Mayor Carter expressed her commitment to continuing the city’s progress and supporting economic development, infrastructure improvements, and public safety initiatives.
“I’m here to serve, and I’m growing with this community,” Mayor Sonia Carter said following her selection. “This is not about ‘I’—it’s about all of us working together. My colleagues and I are committed to doing good work and getting things done. One of my top priorities is addressing the revitalization of downtown, which we heard consistently from the community during interviews. I also plan to pursue swim scholarships so local families can access the aquatic center this summer, regardless of their ability to pay. Many families are struggling, and we must ensure all children have access to safe, healthy activities.”
Carter emphasized the importance of communication between city leaders and residents. “We can’t meet community needs if we don’t hear them,” she said. “I encourage everyone—please come talk to me. I work with young people every day, and I always tell them: that if you don’t speak up, I won’t know how to help. The same goes for our city. I’m committed to listening, collaborating, and leading with heart.”
Marty Ellett was elected as Mayor Pro Tem.
Crankshaw brings over three decades of experience in public safety, including 26 years with the El Centro Police Department, where he retired as a police commander.
“I have worked in law enforcement for over 30 years with a variety of agencies, but the lion’s share of that was with the City of El Centro,” Crankshaw told Imperial Valley Insight.
When asked about his decision to apply for the vacant council seat, Crankshaw cited a continued desire to serve.
“I think when you look at the community you live in, the question is: how can I help?” he said. “Now that I’m retired, I have some time—and I still have, what I think, is gas in the tank to help out. I have a lot of administrative experience, and I think that would assist our council in delivering for our community.”
Regarding priorities, Crankshaw said he intends to listen and learn from current council members and staff before forming a detailed platform.
“As a new member coming in, I want to hear from them and how they’ve ranked the most pressing issues, and then I can start putting my judgment on those as well,” he explained. “I think our city is doing a pretty good job. I just hope I can be an asset and continue to work for the community.”
Crankshaw emphasized the importance of community-focused leadership. “I want to be a conduit for the community—to do those things that we want for our children and our future.”
