Vice mayor quits to 'cross the Pond'

Nevada City Vice Mayor Sheila Stein will resign her position and relocate to England as an innkeeper on Saturday, meaning the City Council likely will appoint her successor to a remaining two-year term.

Until now, four Nevada City residents had been running for three council seats on June 3. Stein is suggesting that the fourth-place finisher be appointed to her post, but the decision is up to the council, which is expected to meet on March 26 to discuss the matter. Election legalities might require that a successor be appointed within 30 days.

Stein's surprise departure stems from a desire to change her lifestyle after 18 years in Nevada City. She will help manage a countryside inn dating back to 1657 that is set along a river in northern England.

"It's an opportunity and an adventure," Stein told The Union on Thursday.

Stein, 55, will join her friend and ex-husband Chris Rochford, a native of the region, at the inn in Hebden Bridge, a town similar in size to Nevada City.

Stein decided to "cross the Pond" only about 12 days ago, though she had been thinking about it since Brochford raised the idea last month. She has visited England once a year for the past 12 years. She obtained a visa and Brochford is her sponsor.

The Nevada City business owner has merged her National Home Loans mortgage business with Ralph Migliozzi of First Choice Financial in Grass Valley, but Stein will retain her real estate license. She said he owns "half a dozen" homes in the area that she will rent out.

Stein conceded the real estate business likely would remain challenging for a while.

Stein said she hopes her departure paves the way for the four candidates who are running for Nevada City City Council to get a seat on the board. They are Planning Commissioner Robert Bergman, former Councilman Gene Downing, incumbent Councilman David McKay and PowerUp-NC founder Reinette Senum. The four candidates will run for four-year terms.

Other residents could be considered for a council appointment, however.

Stein had planned to go to England this summer but felt that departing now could help ease election costs for the four candidates - sometimes totaling $7,000 each for a campaign. It's likely that the council will appoint someone to Stein's post within 30 days rather than hold a special election because of the looming June 3 election.

McKay is expected to recuse himself from any appointment, since he is running. As a result, Mayor Sally Harris and council members Barbara Coffman and Steve Cottrell are expected to vote on the appointment.

Harris isn't running for re-election, and the next mayor is expected to be Coffman. Nevada City's mayor is largely a ceremonial title.

Stein has been a councilwoman for two years and previously was on Nevada City's Planning Commission for two years. Her children will remain in the United States, where both are attending college.

"My kids are doing great - Katrina's a junior in college and Cody is a sophomore," Stein said. "They are adults and will do just fine."

She will return to Nevada City in October for a visit.

To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com or call 477-4235.