Rialto council appoints Edward Montoya Jr. to fill vacant seat after interviews

The Rialto City Council appointed Edward Montoya Jr. to fill the council seat vacated in 2024, voting unanimously on Jan. 7 after a special meeting that included public comment and interviews of candidates. The seat carries roughly two years remaining on the term, the mayor said at the start of the meeting.

The decision followed public comments urging the council to honor election results and interviews with a slate of applicants. Several residents said the seat should go to the next-highest vote-getter from the 2024 race. "Give your voters what they voted for," Michelle Sanchez told the council during public comment. Linda Chapman said the vacancy “should go to the 3rd person with the highest votes,” and Charmaine Chapman Morehead said Rafael Trujillo “should not be considered to fill it.” Brenda Parker likewise urged the council to “honor the next highest vote getter.”

Council members then conducted time-limited interviews with candidates. The clerk called applicants in the order their materials were timestamped. Each candidate was allotted a two-minute opening statement, questions from council members, and a two-minute closing statement. Issues raised across interviews included infrastructure, public safety, economic development, homelessness, and youth and senior services. Candidates included a mix of longtime residents and people with previous city experience: a retired army medic and nonprofit founder, a former city manager, commission members and local business owners, and community organizers.

Fifteen people submitted applications; two did not appear for their scheduled interviews (Elvis Garcia and Guadalupe Gamache, the clerk said). That left 13 candidates who were interviewed in person.

After candidates spoke, Councilmember Andy (identified on the record as moving the appointment) moved to appoint Edward Montoya Jr.; Councilmember Carla Perez seconded the motion. The council approved the appointment in a roll-call vote: Councilmember Carla Perez — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Caricellis — yes; Councilmember Ed Scott — yes; Mayor Baca — yes. The clerk said staff would verify residency and other requirements before swearing in the new member; the council discussed arranging the formal oath before the next regular meeting on Jan. 14.

Montoya, who described himself in the interview as a retired Army medic and operator of a nonprofit providing peer support to veterans and first responders, thanked the council after the vote. “You won't be disappointed,” he told members.

What the council did not do: no special election was called and the council did not commit to an alternative pathway such as leaving the seat vacant; the action taken was an appointment to fill the remainder of the term. Council members and several candidates also noted that a number of commission seats remain vacant and said they intend to work on filling those openings going forward.

The appointment is effective after the clerk confirms statutory requirements and administers the oath of office. The council will place the new member on committee and commission assignments once sworn in.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to appoint Edward Montoya Jr. to the city council: Approved (4–0). Moved by Councilmember Andy (moved on the record as Andy Carrizares). Seconded by Councilmember Carla Perez. Yes votes recorded: Carla Perez; Mayor Pro Tem Caricellis; Ed Scott; Mayor Baca. No votes: none. Abstain/absent: none recorded.

(Provenance: council discussion of appointment began at the start of the special meeting and concluded with the roll-call vote at the end of the session.)