Choices signal change

Jason Nevel

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CLINTON -- The Clinton City Council will undergo an extreme makeover in January with at least three new faces and a potential fourth.

Jennifer Graf appears to have secured an At-Large seat by garnering nearly 58 percent of the vote. Margaret Klaes defeated Bob Soesbe in the First Ward and Beverly Hermann knocked off Darrell Smith in the Third Ward.

A run-off election will be held in four weeks between incumbent Ron Mallicoat and challenger Charles Mulholland for the other At-Large seat up for grabs. Neither candidate topped the 50 percent, plus one threshold.

Mul-holland edged out Mallicoat with 44 percent and Mallicoat claimed 43 percent of the vote. According to election rules, the top two vote getters who did not receive 50 percent will be placed in a run-off election in four weeks.

The At-Large race was based off a 200 percent total vote to make it possible for more than one candidate to secure a 50 percent margin.

Soesbe said the margin of defeat was a shock to him. Klaes claimed 63 percent of the 401 people who voted in the First Ward.

"I'm very disappointed," said Soesbe, who's served 12 years on the council. "I thought I did a pretty good job for the First Ward but apparently I didn't."

Klaes could not be reached for comment.

Smith was the longest serving member on the council. His tenure dates to the 1950s and includes a stint as mayor.

"The people have spoken. Our system works," Smith said. "Thank you for the privilege to serve as a member of the Clinton City Council. We have accomplished many projects. I wish the members of the new City Council good luck."

Hermann said she was excited to represent the Third Ward but had mixed emotions about replacing Smith.

"It is kind of exciting, but Darrell has done this for a long time," said Hermann, who represented the First Ward from 2001 to 2005. "I thought it would be way closer than this. He's so well known and he's done this for so long."

Hermann collected 64 percent of 825 votes.

The other item on the ballot, the local option sales tax, was approved handily by Clinton voters. The measure passed with 79 percent of people voting "yes."

Half of the $3 million generated from the one cent sales tax will now help fund sanitary, wastewater treatment and street repairs. The other half will continue to be used for property tax relief.

Council members have said the change could provide some relief for escalating sewer bills.

After the results were tallied, Graf and about 25 supporters who were gathered at Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor erupted in cheers. Graf said she did not know what to expect heading into Tuesday night but was overwhelmed with the news.

"I'm humbled by the turnout, and I think it's been a wonderful showing," she said. "I can't thank my committee members enough."

Mulholland said he was excited about squaring off against Mallicoat, who could not be reached for comment, and going door-to-door again.

"I'm very excited and ready to hit the campaign trail again and get back to work," the retired PCS Nitrogen worker said. "I just went door to door and that's how I got the vote."

Ben Luckritz came in third with 39 percent and Mike Drury finished last with 23 percent to round off the At-Large race.

Luckritz said he wouldn't rule out trying again in four years and was thankful to all the people who supported his campaign.

"I want to say a big thank you to all of my supporters. All of you have made this a great experience," Luckritz said. "Even with this defeat I'm going to continue to be involved in the community."

Drury could not be reached for comment.

The results are not official until the County Board of Supervisors conducts a canvass of the votes on Thursday.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0394-39445840