Lynn Benson appointed new mayor of Ventura

Lynn Benson has been appointed as the new mayor of Ventura.  

Benson, a retired business owner, said he had never thought about running for office, but decided to take on the position after Art Tesar resigned from the post because he was moving out of the community.

The Ventura City Council unanimously approved the appointment Monday night and Benson was on the job Tuesday.

“(City Clerk) Else Taylor and a few of the Council members asked me about doing the job and so I decided to take it on,” said Benson.  “I’m looking forward to visiting with people and seeing what this job is all about.”

Benson, a Forest City native, said he has lived in Ventura since 1999.  He has turned his dirt-work business over to his children and has the time to give to the job, he said.  He and his wife, Marcia, have three boys, Travis, Sheldon and Aaron.

The Ventura City Council had 60 days following Tesar’s departure on Jan. 31 to fill the post.  Benson will remain in office until the November General Election. 

Tesar was elected mayor as a write-in candidate in November 2013.  He and his wife, Nelda, had been searching for a smaller home in Ventura, but hadn’t found what they were looking for.  When they received a viable offer on their home they were forced to widen their search and re-located to Clear Lake.