Lake Forest selects new Council member

The Lake Forest City Council has appointed a person to fulfill the rest of Council member Leah Basile’s term. She resigned from the Council because she’s moving out of the city.

Sr. Communications Marketing Analyst Jonathan Volzke says out of 12 applicants, the Council appointed retired Orange County Assistant Sheriff Michael James to the seat.

He believes he was chosen because of his public service to the city and was familiar with issues the city faces. James had served as Chief of Police Services for Lake Forest between 1999 and 2005.

Volzke says James will serve as a Council member until November of next year. It’s unclear whether he will seek election for the position.