"This city is not like other cities where you've got a strong mayor that controls everything; we're not like that. We're a city of loving, caring people who want to do more for our city. Get to know the people in your neighborhood, Page advised residents. Bond together. Learn how to like your neighbors."
"In July 2025, the council amended the policy so that the top two vote-earners in each election are considered to be in the queue for mayor and vice mayor. However, the amendment went on to state that no councilmember has the right to serve in either position."
"Mona Kaur-Freedland wrote in an email to the council that Councilmember Rishi Kumar was bypassed in 2019, even though he was next in line to become mayor, which led to the break in tradition. In 2020 the council elected Councilmember Yan Zhao and Walia mayor and vice mayor, respectively, out of rotation. Kaur-Freedland criticized this approach, saying that although it was procedurally valid, it opened up the city's representation to personal politics. This issue transcends any one individual or election cyc"
Vice Mayor Chuck Page was promoted to mayor and Councilmember Tina Walia was elected vice mayor after dozens of residents spoke in support of her on Dec. 3. Page succeeded Councilmember Belal Aftab, who served as mayor in 2025, and received unanimous council support. The city has maintained a mayoral rotation policy since 2010; in July 2025 the council amended the policy to consider the top two vote-earners as the queue for mayor and vice mayor while also stating that no councilmember has an absolute right to those positions. Saratoga canceled elections in 2024 after incumbents ran unopposed. Residents raised concerns that past out-of-rotation selections and bypassed succession opened representation to personal politics.
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