Tesar elected Mayor in Ventura

Ventura had a surprise following the Regular Election.  Art Tesar was elected Mayor of Ventura, after 69 votes were cast for him as a write-in candidate.

“We are very happy Art is going to take the reigns as Mayor, because he has a lot of experience,” said Else Taylor, 

Ventura City Clerk.  “It takes a couple of years to learn what is involved and expected of the mayor, but with Art’s experience he will just step right in.”

Tesar was a councilman in Clear Lake from 1988-1999.

“The Lake Region is unique and Art knows how Clear Lake politics work and that’s a good thing.  We have a very good working relationship with Clear Lake and Art’s election is a bonus,” said Taylor.

One incumbent and two challengers were on the ballot for two Ventura City Council seats.  It was a tight race, with Kristi Meints, a challenger, and Brian Vaage, the incumbent, earning the seats.  Meints had 77 votes, while Vaage collected 67.  Newcomer Fred Petersburg wasn’t far behind Vaage with 63 votes.

Voter turn-out was at 20.4 percent, with 120 votes being cast.