Small Town News

Two return, two new to join City Council

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Results placing two incumbents and two newcomers on the Willcox City Council are now official after being canvassed by the Council Monday night.

The four were elected by 14.9 percent of Willcox voters in the Primary Election last Tuesday, March 9.

Incumbents Monika Gron-berg (179 votes) and Gerald "Sam" Lindsey (163 votes) led the pack of six candidates, while newcomers William "Bill" Holloway (145 votes) and Robert "Bob" Irvin (138 votes) followed, each with a majority of total ballots cast.

Newcomer Paul Sheats (88 votes) and incumbent Larry Schultz (82 votes) did not have enough votes to make the majority cut-off (50 percent of ballots, plus one). A total of 187 ballots were cast in Willcox Tuesday, said Cristina Whelan, city clerk, plus 56 absentee ballots that were mailed or turned in, according to the Cochise County Election Office. An estimated 95 absentee ballots were mailed out by the county elections office.

Final results may be seen on http://cochise.az.gov by going to the sidebar, "Election Results", and then "March 9, 2010 Election - Official Results."

The top four candidates with a majority of votes were elected, with a run-off May 18 only necessary if there were not four candidates with a majority of votes.

There were also seven votes cast in Willcox and 34 absentee votes for Jimmy Norris, who withdrew his candidacy a week prior to the election; and three write-in ballots, Whelan said.

The county recorder's office said there are 1,628 registered voters in Willcox.

Only about 243 ballots (14.9 percent) were cast either Tuesday or by mail in the primary election.

Each of the candidates were asked for a comment Friday following the election.

Mayor Sam Lindsey was elected for the first time, as he was appointed to the Council Feb. 21, 2008. He said, "We wish the voter turnout would have been better, but do appreciate the effort of the citizens that did vote in the Willcox City Council primary election. The council forums helped to give voters a chance to learn about the candidates. My thanks to the Chamber and Rotary for the forums, Valley Telecom for televising on channel 1 and the Range News for their coverage of events."

Vice Mayor Larry Schultz, who was appointed to the Council on May 11, 2007, said Friday he was disappointed in voter turnout for the election, and "a lot of people who said they were behind me obviously didn't turn out."

"Almost every day, except weekends when you can't get hold of anyone, I spend one or two hours calling legislators or working on something for the city. It does give yOu the feeling that people don't appreciate what you do," he said. "But I have no hard feelings, and I do feel like a burden was lifted and I will be able to work on things I have neglected while on the Council. I'll concentrate on Marty Robbins and Rex Allen museums and the (proposed) new hospital. I have also received some calls about events promotions."

"Getting things done in the city takes a lot of work, but we have some good people (coming on to the Council)," Schultz said.

Cronberg, who will begin her second term in June, said, "It is the people here in Willcox who have made me realize this is a good place to call home. I'm thankful and privileged to continue serving the community through my place on the council. I realize we are in for some difficult challenges given the current economy and unsettled political climate. Times may be uncertain, but I am always encouraged by the hope and spirit that emerge when most needed. The challenges we face together become our opportunities to be even better. This is a community of wonderful people and true promise; I am proud to be a part of it."

Holloway said, "I appreciate the voters who were willing to give their time to participate in the election process. I hope that in the future more Willcox citizens will become interested in the process of city government, and my commitment is to strive to improve this community. We have a hard way to go this year, with reduced revenue, but we must move forward, and act creatively and proactively. It will be quite a

ride!"

Irvin said, "I'm happy I was elected, and I was really happy with the way all the candidates conducted themselves. There was no mud-slinging. I appreciate that. Although four candidates were elected, there're weren't any losers. The others will pursue other (community-oriented) things."

Sheats said he "hoped more people would come out and vote, but I appreciate those who did vote and those who gave me their votes. I'm still here and I'm still going to do what I can to make a positive impact on the city and the community."

"I'm still putting my voice and the voice of others out

there to be heard," Sheats said, adding he still plans on attending City Council meetings, "maybe not every one of them, but I do want to be involved and informed about what's going on in the community. Everyone should be."

Those elected will take office in June for their four-year terms.



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© 2010 Arizona Range News Willcox, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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