David, Davis, Swanson — SLT council
By Kathryn Reed and Susan Wood
Voters in South Lake Tahoe appear to want a little of what they are used to mixed in with something new.
Three seats were up on the City Council, with all of the incumbents seeking re-election Nov. 4. Tom Davis and Angela Swanson are in the top three with 100 percent of the precincts reporting just after 1am Nov. 5.
“The public likes a little change on the council. I think the public recognizes the city is headed in the right way and I got that message out,” Davis told Lake Tahoe News. “My message was what we have accomplished within the city.”
He is second with 15.56 percent of the vote or 1,042 votes.
Wendy David, right, talks to supporters on election night. Photo/Susan Wood
It’s been a good week of “yes, yes, yes” in Giants terms for top vote getter and newcomer Wendy David.
After her San Francisco team secured a third World Series win in five years last week, she ended a productive tenure on Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s board. She was first elected to that board in 1997.
And now, she’s in the top spot for one of three seats on the City Council with 18 percent of the vote and 1,205 votes.
What she brings to the council is experience in social services through her vast amount of volunteer work as well as previous paid positions.
David said amid a crowd of about 15 people at her home, including those from Lake Tahoe Community College, that running against six other people, unlike her school board candidacies, made it more of a challenge.
“These are seven competent candidates …. I felt it could be anybody’s race,” she told Lake Tahoe News, adding the notion the voters know that she cares “very much about the community.”
Incumbent Angela Swanson came in third at 14.12 percent, 945 votes.
She was unavailable for comment.
While David, Davis and Swanson are the top vote getters, it’s possible this will not be the final outcome. Not many votes separate the seven and these numbers are preliminary. Any absentee ballots that were turned in on Election Day will be counted in the next few days. That is why the results could change.
This is Austin Sass’ third time to run for council. Until the last update he had been in third place. He had 13.92 percent, 932 votes.
“I think I got across to people that I was independent and not tied to anybody,” Sass told Lake Tahoe News of why he did better.
Coming in fifth is incumbent Brooke Laine. She was appointed to the seat vacated by Claire Fortier. She has 13.35 percent, 894 votes.
Laine commended David for the position she’s in.
Laine’s day has been stressful since the start. An auditor came into U.S. Bank where she is the manager. This is daunting even for a grace-under-pressure elected official such as Laine.
“I will respect whatever the outcome is,” she said, relaxing at home after about two dozen people had left.
Rounding out the field are first time contender Matt Palacio (12.53 percent, 839) and former Councilman Bruce Grego (12.29 percent, 823 votes).
The council will be sworn in Dec. 9. Those five will then choose among themselves who will be mayor and mayor pro tem. Normally mayor pro tem steps into the mayor’s seat. With Laine currently out of the equation, that opens up the likely possibility of Mayor Hal Cole having the job for consecutive years or Davis taking on his fourth term as mayor.
Other local races include:
Measure H for Lake Valley Fire Protection District would tax residents in the Meyers area only. The money generated would mostly be used for fuels reduction projects. It required 66 percent of the voters to say yes for it to pass. The no votes resoundingly took at 66.48 percent.
Lake Tahoe Community College for the first time has district elections. The one contested race is for the seat being vacated by Molly Blann. Michelle Sweeney won with 52.14 percent (586 votes) with Bob Grant having 47.51 percent (534).
South Tahoe Public Utility District has two seats up, with only one incumbent running. Longtime board member Jim Jones won with 59.06 percent (2,347 votes) compared to challenger Shane Romsos with 40.51 percent (1,610). In the other STPUD race, Duane Wallace trounced Andy Chapman with 65.06 percent (2,495). Chapman had 34.55 percent (1,325).