It’s been a season of exits for Peninsula officials. As August ceded to September, two local mayors – Joe Russell of Del Rey Oaks and Dan Cort of Pacific Grove – threw in their towels, leaving their cities’ troubles for others to sort out.

Russell resigned Sept. 1, two days before a showdown with his accusers.

“I don’t think he quit for the benefit of the city,” Councilman Jeff Cecilio says. “I think he quit because he wasn’t going to be publicly embarrassed by the council, by the employees of the city.”

Cecilio, the only councilmember to call for Russell’s resignation after a July 28 vote of no confidence by city staff and reserve police officers, was granted his wish when Russell stepped down after 35 years on the City Council. The mayor’s resignation came just before City Manager Daniel Dawson was going to present the findings of an investigation into the litany of grievances contained in the vote of no confidence.

Russell allegedly micromanaged the city, sent inappropriate e-mails, and routinely harassed and intimidated city employees and officials, causing some staff members to take workers comp.

In his resignation letter, Russell repeated his denial of the allegations. “This resignation is in no way an admission of any wrongdoing as asserted in the recent vote of no confidence,” he wrote. Russell declined further comment.

Before he resigned, Russell lost privileges at City Hall. Dawson, who in August took over as the city’s first full-time city manager in 10 years, moved into Russell’s office. Dawson also changed the locks and didn’t give Russell a key, Cecilio says.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, the council will accept Russell’s resignation and appoint Vice Mayor Jerry Edelen as mayor, Dawson says. The vacant seat on the five-member council won’t likely be filled until the November 2010 election, he says.

For Dawson, Russell’s departure is bittersweet. “It’s a wealth of experience that is going to be very difficult to replace,” he says. “But the city and the council are moving forward and opening a new chapter.”

Over in Pacific Grove, officials are likewise turning the page. Mayor Dan Cort tendered his resignation Aug. 31, following through on his pledge to quit after veteran gadfly David Dilworth threatened him with a recall campaign. Former Interim City Manager Charlene Wiseman also stepped down the same day.

Eight months after former city manager Jim Colangelo quit, the City Council is finally ready appoint a permanent replacement. Although officials have said they hope to announce the new boss Sept. 2, the council was still vetting its chosen candidate in a closed session immediately before its Wednesday night meeting (past the Weekly’s deadline).

“There were still a few more questions on the background check,” Councilman Alan Cohen said Tuesday. “We’re still in limbo.”

Former mayor Cort wasn’t at the meeting, but he said the chosen city manager candidate has unanimous support: “He’s definitely someone who got everyone’s vote on council.”

The council is now on a 30-day timer to appoint a councilmember as acting mayor until the end of Cort’s term, in November 2010. “All that discussion will happen in open session,” Mayor Pro Tempore Vicki Stilwell says.

But the selection of a new mayor is not on the council’s Sept. 2 agenda. It can’t be discussed because it wasn’t posted 72 hours in advance, according to Deputy City Clerk Ann O’Rourke.

With the title of temporary mayor, Stilwell seems like a shoo-in to succeed Cort. But she says she’s not interested in the post for personal reasons.

Her pick for mayor is Councilman Bill Kampe. “He would be a great mayor,” she says, citing Kampe’s dedication, financial savvy, business background and time available for public service.

Kampe, for his part, plays modest. He says he was leaning toward appointing Stilwell mayor, but since she’s not interested, he’s willing to serve. “I’m flattered,” he says of Stilwell’s endorsement. “I got into this to serve the city as best I can.”

Other sources suggest Councilwoman Lisa Bennett may be a candidate for mayor. Bennett couldn’t be reached, but she has previously told the Weekly she doesn’t plan to run for another term.