Michael, Alexander, Williams win
Two firefighters are victors in a City Council race that seems to be untouched by the anti-incumbent rage.
Dennis Michael, who grew up in this city helping out with the family citrus ranch and later became the fire chief, looks to be the new mayor. Bill Alexander, a former Ontario firefighter who surprisingly lost his mayoral seat four years ago, will take Rex Gutierrez's seat.
Way ahead is Councilwoman Diane Williams, the longest serving member of the council with a continued strong base of support. Williams received one-fourth of the vote so she's definitely keeping her seat.
With 66 percent of the precincts counted, Michael has 50 percent of the vote to Marc Steinorth's 35 percent. Robert Ledbetter, who pulled out of the race early on, is currently in third place, with 93 more votes than Bill Hanlon.
Williams (25 percent) and Alexander (16 percent) led throughout the night with Chuck Buquet (12 percent) in third place. Buquet could switch places with Jim Moffatt later in the day. The former councilman has just 383 votes more than Moffatt.
Finally, the wild card. It seems that former Councilman Rex Gutierrez has 10 percent of the vote even though he stepped down last week. He's now in fifth place.
Check back later today for updated results.
Dennis Michael, who grew up in this city helping out with the family citrus ranch and later became the fire chief, looks to be the new mayor. Bill Alexander, a former Ontario firefighter who surprisingly lost his mayoral seat four years ago, will take Rex Gutierrez's seat.
Way ahead is Councilwoman Diane Williams, the longest serving member of the council with a continued strong base of support. Williams received one-fourth of the vote so she's definitely keeping her seat.
With 66 percent of the precincts counted, Michael has 50 percent of the vote to Marc Steinorth's 35 percent. Robert Ledbetter, who pulled out of the race early on, is currently in third place, with 93 more votes than Bill Hanlon.
Williams (25 percent) and Alexander (16 percent) led throughout the night with Chuck Buquet (12 percent) in third place. Buquet could switch places with Jim Moffatt later in the day. The former councilman has just 383 votes more than Moffatt.
Finally, the wild card. It seems that former Councilman Rex Gutierrez has 10 percent of the vote even though he stepped down last week. He's now in fifth place.
Check back later today for updated results.
Consideration, commitment, experience and "taking the high road" get VOTES! Congratulations to Dennis Michael on becoming the next Mayor of our community! Better days are coming for all...
Remember our discussion on an earlier entry, Wendy, about how people don't usually vote for lawyers?
I stand somewhat corrected. Luella Hairston was not at the bottom. However, more people voted for a convicted felon than a lawyer...
:)
Seriously Rancho? Seriously? Bill Alexander... again.
What happened to voting out all incumbents?
Man I am so unhappy with this election across the board... now I know why some people think their vote doesn't matter.
How very very funny the resuls of the city election. I remember, to this day, how smug Rex was during his council comments the day after the last election, when Alexander lost the mayor election. His personal attacks, sending out his propoganda throw away newspaper with just plain lies. And then to sit and gloat about what a wonderful election season.
Being a religious man, I hope Rex has the time in prison to recollect his past. Matthew 7:12:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
It all comes back to haunt him. I did not vote for Mr. Alexander but am pleased to see him vitorious and wish him the best. To be taking the seat of Rex is classic. Good riddens Rex. Hope you are still at peace with yourself.
Not exactly, third. While our editorial board suggested the council pick the runner up, the City Council may have a different plan. They could very well open it up to everyone.
So this means there is an open seat, that goes to Chuck Buquet since he was the highest vote getter? I seem to recall an article about that.
For all you people that kept crying about voting out incumbents and those with the most experience, time to admit you were wrong. As for the only lawyer running a local race, she suffered the same fate as all the other "unknown" wannabes. If this were a statewide race where our esteemed former firemen were unknown, they would have been trounced. In the importnat races, more lawyers were elected once again, including your new governor, Jerry Brown Esq.