Orange council approves Traffic Commission appointment despite public objections

The Orange City Council voted 5–2 on April 14 to appoint Alexia Delagiani to Position 1 on the City Traffic Commission after public comment raised objections to the nominee’s political views.

The council motion to approve the appointment was made by Council member Tavares and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Bilodeau. Mayor Dan Slater called the question and announced the appointment passed with five affirmative votes; Council members Sparios and Gutierrez voted no.

The nomination drew a public comment from Mary Overschlick, who opposed the appointment after reviewing the nominee’s social media. Overschlick told the council, “we have plenty of realtors in our local government…we don't feel we need another MAGA like person in our local government,” and said the nominee raised “major red flags” on her Facebook page.

Mayor Slater asked the council to support Delagiani and then called for a vote. The council voted to confirm the appointment despite Overschlick’s objections; Slater thanked participants and congratulated the appointee after the vote.

The appointment followed the council’s approval of the consent calendar earlier in the meeting. Council member Gutierrez moved to approve the consent calendar with a second from Council member Gyllenhaumer; the item passed unanimously.

What happens next: The newly appointed Traffic Commission member will be seated according to the commission’s process. The council did not take further administrative action on the nomination at the meeting.

Provenance: The nomination discussion and vote were introduced during the appointments item and followed by public comment opposing the nomination; the motion and vote were recorded on the council floor.