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Capitola Mayor Bids Farewell, By Sam Storey, Mayor, City of Capitola
FEATURED COLUMNIST
Capitola Mayor Bids Farewell
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By Sam Storey, Mayor, City of Capitola
The midterm election is behind us and true to form, the race in Capitola is close and too early to call.
As of this printing, Yvette Brooks has a comfortable lead with 26.0% of the vote, Alexander Pedersen is second with 18.8% of the vote, and Joe Clark is third with 18.6% of the vote. Only 17 votes separate Joe and Alexander. Gerry Jensen is running a close fourth, only 28 votes behind Joe Clark.
Races for Capitola city council are known to be nail-biters with the outcomes determined by only a handful of votes and sometimes by only one vote.
As typical in a midterm election, the turnout was moderate (63% of registered voters), however, the election’s department is still counting ballots so the make-up of the new Capitola City Council is still unknown.
Regardless of the outcome my congratulations and thanks to all the candidates Yvette Brooks, Joe Clarke, Alexander Pedersen, Gerry Jensen, and Enrique Dolmo, Jr., for running for Capitola City Council and being willing to serve the community.
I am grateful to all the candidates that ran because running for elected office requires throwing one’s heart and soul into a campaign of persuasion while at the same time being willing to graciously lose.
It’s the sport of democracy, during the game you give it your all, but be willing to accept the final score and either move up or move on. The game may allow you to ask for a review or recount, but once the rules have been exhausted and the clock has run, the game is over. If you lose, be proud that you gave it your best shot, but accept the final score and start preparing for your next game. Poor sportsmanship is never an attractive look and is not befitting in the sport of democracy.
On Dec. 8, the top three vote-getters will be seated on the Capitola City Council. Councilmember Jacques Bertrand and I will step down from our seats to make room for the councilmembers elect.
Making room for new minds to grapple with the challenges and opportunities that Capitola will face in the coming years. It’s the process of revitalizing leadership. To the new and continuing councilmembers, I wish them the best of success. I will be stepping down from the Capitola city council to focus on my personal and professional life. It has been my honor to serve three terms on the Capitola City Council and to serve three times as mayor. My heartfelt thanks go out to the citizens of Capitola, the city staff, my family, and my supporters for allowing me this opportunity to serve.
