Stratford, who was elected to the council in 2006, will take up the gavel from Councilwoman and four-time mayor, Julie Pierce. Clayton, a general law city, does not elect the mayor in an open election. Rather the largely ceremonial seat traditionally rotates between members. The mayor has no more authority than the other four elected council members.

The reorganization occurred without fanfare. Indeed, even the traditional sheet cake was missing; the latest victim of the budget slasher’s sword.

“When Marie Antoinette said ‘let them eat cake,’ she was obviously speaking in much flusher times,’ laughed Stratford as the city clerk switched the nameplates on the dais.

Looking forward to yet another year of declining tax revenues and potentially more state diversions, Clayton’s biggest challenge will continue to be balancing the budget without cutting into essential services.

“Due to prudent management, we have weathered this economic storm better than most cities,” says Stratford. “We do have a reserve fund that could be used to balance the budget if we face a one-time non-systemic shortfall, however the goal is to live within our means.”

Looking beyond the pressing economic issues, Stratford wants to work with schools and businesses to develop a community-wide Character-in-Action program which will focus on family activities that will build a sense of responsibility and respect.

Stratford, 43, is a CPA and owner of Diablo View Cleaning and was raised in Clayton. He graduated from Brigham Young University and holds an MBA from UC Berkeley. He was elected in 2006.