The making and unmaking of Beya Alcaraz A strange and terrible saga

Beya Alcaraz resigned as District 4 supervisor shortly after her appointment, amid allegations of improper management of dead pets in her pet shop. Appointed on her 29th birthday, Alcaraz's lack of qualifications, including no government experience or advanced degrees, drew criticism towards Mayor Daniel Lurie's office for failing to conduct adequate background checks. Despite Lurie's assertion that Alcaraz was properly vetted, her unfamiliarity with basic legislative terms raised concerns about her readiness for the role. The mayor's inability to prevent this public embarrassment reflects a troubling oversight in the vetting process, which should have included checks on voting records and business complaints. Alcaraz's pet shop faced multiple inspections for poor conditions, which could have been discovered through online records.

Her resignation after just a week in office underscores the need for a more rigorous vetting process for political appointees. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for future appointments, especially as Lurie seeks greater powers from voters. Ultimately, this misstep undermines trust in local governance and the responsibilities of elected officials.