LAKE COUNTY ? Incumbents prevailed in the race for Clearlake City Council. Judy Thein, Joyce Overton and Curt Giambruno, who currently serves as mayor, each earned re-election and will serve an additional four years.
Clearlake enjoyed a healthy voter turnout in this year”s election with more than half of its registered voters making it to the polls. According to results provided by the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, there were a total of 6,479 voters registered within the jurisdiction with 3,338 votes cast. Precinct ballots accounted for 1,774 ballots cast while absentee ballots accounted for 1,564 ballots.
“It was wonderful to see the turnout in Clearlake,” Sandy Ferias, precinct clerk said. “Over half of them were mail-in ballots, but the fact that they voted and we still had lines out the door.”
Judy Thein led the race from beginning to end accumulating 1,748 votes to earn re-election. “I”m very excited to be given this opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Clearlake. My re-election is confirmation that the efforts that the council and I have put forth in the past four years are making positive impacts in our community,” she said. “I would like to extend my heart-felt gratitude to those who supported in this election and I would like to ensure them that I will continue to work earnestly to lead our city progressively into the future. I look forward to investing another four years into the positive leadership of our community.”
Thein added, “We have many challenges facing us ahead in light of budget constraints and limited resources, but I am confident that this council can continue to tackle those issues with the community”s best interests in mind.”
Overton received 1,436 votes to gain re-election. “I want to thank everybody who re-elected us. It”s a great honor that they felt that we have been doing a good job,” she said. “I look forward to working with the council and the community to make our city prosperous and beautiful.”
Overton said she would like to see more citizen involvement in the years ahead. “In the next four years I hope to entice the community to become more involved with our youth and our local youth center. My immediate goal is to bring the churches and city together to assist in providing the homeless with shelter, especially during our winter months,” she said. “I look forward to seeing increased attendance at our council meetings and hope that more citizens become more involved in the growth of our community.”
Mayor Giambruno was re-elected with 1,290 votes cast in his support. “Personally, I am very pleased that who ever voted for me, voted for me to get me back in there. I am looking forward to continuing to move the city forward in a positive manner,” he said. “We have several projects currently under way that I want to see come together to help improve the economic base for the city. I also have a wish list for the city and at some point in time in the next four years I hope we can make those wishes come to fruition.”
Giambruno”s wish list includes projects such as construction of a medium-sized BMX bike track, converting the senior center to solar energy, installing a small toddler playground at Redbud Park and constructing a public parking lot somewhere on Lakeshore Drive.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
