 | | | Susan Candell voting Photo Brian Candell | | | | | | Voters had their say Nov. 6, electing Susan Candell and Teresa Gerringer to the Lafayette city council.
Candell comes to the council from her position on the Circulation Commission. Gerringer is a longtime Lafayette School Board member.
Although results won't be certified until early December to allow for final counting of mail-in ballots, preliminary indications show Candell with 28 per cent of the vote and Gerringer with 23 percent.
Ivor Samson garnered 21 per cent with Karen Maggio and Dave Smith trailing at 15.5 and 12.5 percent respectively.
The election this year prompted plenty of strong feelings on several contentious issues within the city including a recently enforced, revised conflict of interest policy for the planning and design review commissions and controversy over development on Deer Hill Road.
Mayor Don Tatzin offered the winners his congratulations. "I also say thank you to the other candidates who did the hard work of putting themselves forward. I know that Teresa and Susan have the best interests of Lafayette at heart and have the capacity to be outstanding additions to the council. Their complementary skills will also blend well with incoming Mayor Cam Burks, and Council Member Mike Anderson," Tatzin posted on social media Nov. 7 as the results became apparent.
Election day played out under the shadow of Council Member Mark Mitchell's sudden passing the previous day (see related article on Page A1).
"While I am looking forward to representing Lafayette on (the) city council and want to thank the many wonderful volunteers who made it happen, I am deeply saddened that I will not be serving with Councilman Mark Mitchell," said Candell. "Ivor Samson and I, plus our family and friends did have a party scheduled at the Roundup, but canceled in respect to Mark.
"When on council, I will always consider 'What would Mark do?' during my decision-making, and I know he won't steer me wrong. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family during this difficult time."
Gerringer offered, "Congratulations to Susan and thank you to Ivor, Karen and Dave who put themselves and their visions for Lafayette forward. The campaigns were spirited and brought out strong feelings and opinions on issues facing Lafayette. The common thread is that all of us, no matter where we are in our history with Lafayette, love our community and are willing to step up to keep Lafayette a livable, lovable place. I am humbled and honored that voters have placed their trust in me. I take that trust seriously, and will represent everyone with integrity, compassion and thoughtfulness."
And Gerringer echoed Candell's sentiment about Mitchell. "In the meantime, I ask that we all take a moment to remember council member and friend, Mark Mitchell, and reflect on his leadership and unwavering commitment to Lafayette. May we all follow his example."
The council will need to appoint a replacement within 60 days of Nov. 5 to fill the vacancy on the city council left by Mitchell, whose term expires in 2020. The topic is on the agenda for discussion at the Nov. 13 city council meeting (after this issue of Lamorinda Weekly went to press).
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA