By Jonathan Friedman
Staff Writer

February 15, 2010 -- At least seven people are interested in the City Council seat made vacant by last month’s death of Mayor Ken Genser, but only two have a realistic chance of being appointed to the seven-member council.

Six persons met a Thursday deadline to submit their names, which appear on a list on the City Clerk’s web site. An additional person whose name is not on that list also has expressed interest in the position.

The council will vote on a possible appointment at its February 23 meeting. A person must get the support of four council members to be selected for the seat.

The two who have the best shot of being chosen are Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer, who placed fifth in the 2008 council election for four seats, and Terry O’Day, a former planning commissioner and 2006 council candidate. He placed fourth in that election for three seats.

Two others who are considered possible choices are school board member Oscar de la Torre and Santa Monicans for Renters Rights’ (SMMR) Chair Patricia Hoffman.

De la Torre told the Lookout News on Sunday that he is interested in the position. Hoffman -- who failed to get the necessary votes a year ago to fill the seat vacated when Council member Herb Katz died -- did not return a call for comment.

De la Torre said he wants to be on the council to bring “geographic diversity.” If appointed, he would become the first person from the Pico Neighborhood ever to hold a council seat and only the second Latino.

“This neighborhood has more need,” de la Torre said. “That’s where my attention will definitely be focused on. But it doesn’t exclude residents that don’t live in the Pico Neighborhood. I’m all about being inclusive and looking at the whole.”

Winterer called himself a person “who knows how to gets things done, not just to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the dais.”

In addition to his planning commission duties, he is a member of various community groups and sits on the Ocean Park Association board. He used to be the president and is currently the vice president of the group.

“This is one of the best places in the world to live,” the 18-year resident said. “And on the council I can help make sure that the Santa Monica we all love now is pretty much the same one my kids will be able to live in when they are adults.”

O’Day could not be reached for comment. But he has been active in lobbying for the council seat, with his many supporters sending a multitude of e-mails to council members.

Another person who has expressed interest is Robert Kronovet. His 2008 election to the Rent Control Board was a major upset, as he became the first candidate to earn a seat on the 30-year-old board without the backing of SMRR.

Kronovet, a Republican and landlord, admits he is an extreme long shot to win the appointment. But he is already preparing for a council run in the November General Election.

“The moderates and centrists of Santa Monica feel they’re entitled to a centrist and moderate in government,” said Kronovet.

He called his supporters a “growing force” in a City that is politically moving away from “left-leaning tendencies” of the current leaders.

Winterer and de la Torre also plan council runs in November if they are not appointed next week.

Three other people asked for their names to be added to the City Web site’s listed of interested candidates. They are political unknowns Sandra Tootalian, Gene Galvin and Juan Diego Ibanez.

None have served on City boards and commissions, all but an official prerequisite for being chosen.

If the council makes an appointment next week, the new council member would have to defend the seat in the November General Election.

If no person is able to muster the support of four council members for the appointment, then an election will be called as early as mid-May. The winner of the Special Election would keep the seat through 2012.

Last February, the council went through seven rounds of voting before Gleam Davis was able to get four votes to occupy Katz's seat.