Two return to Council, Young joins
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

PHILLIP SPENRATH

Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Richard Young took a seat on the El Campo City Council beside returning incumbents Phillip Spenrath and Kenneth Martin during Tuesday's meeting.

As victors, the three took the oath of office during the first City Council session following Saturday's at-large representative election. The selection of a mayor and mayor pro tem were also scheduled for Tuesday night (please see the Saturday edition of the Leader- News for results.)

Saturday, incumbents Spenrath and Martin faced challenges from Young, Henry Dornak Jr., Otha Edison, Jimmy Roppolo and Tim Ryan.

With each vote in the city of El Campo allowed to select three from the list of seven, a total of 3,870 votes were cast (1,290 ballots). Spenrath, returning for a second term, led with 904 votes.

"I am very pleased with the strong voter turnout," he said. "As I have been stating for months, a large majority of our citizens have been openly expressing their approval of the progress and direction that this City Council has taken."

Young finished second with 717 while Martin's 706 votes was enough to ensure his return to Council.

KENNETH MARTIN

With almost 14 years on the P&Z Commission, Young said he felt the experience would help him make the transition to City Council.

New to Council, Young said he would "work on all the issues," but added he wants to examine the Aquatic Center and how to make it a more viable facility for the city.

"It's a fantastic facility and it ought to be used by many more people," Young said, adding the key may be to focus on educating residents about the facility and what it has to offer.

Martin said he looks forward to working with Council's newest addition.

"Richard Young? He's a great guy, level headed, great common sense, conservative. I think he'll be a great asset to City Council," he said.

Martin said he appreciated the vote of confidence citizens provided in re-electing him to Council.

"I think we're on the right track and will continue the way we were," he said.

Spenrath agreed.

"We need to complete our ongoing renovations, utility construction, street paving and drainage improvement projects," he said. "This City Council also needs to focus its efforts toward the revitalization of our downtown central business district; enhancing our gateways and offering financial incentives that will entice and support existing and new business entities."

RICHARD YOUNG

In the city of El Campo race, the top three vote-getters take office.

Challenger Roppolo was a fourth with 603 votes, followed by Ryan with 426, Dornak with 398 and Edison with 116.

As a resident of a newly annexed area, Roppolo said he was pleased with the number of votes he collected and added he intends to stay active in city government.

"I want stay involved and support Council, but I also want it to operate in an efficient business type manner," Roppolo said. "The manager needs to manage and the Council needs to stay out of it. They give the guidelines."

"We've got Councilmen involved with the operation of the city. Our Councilmen need to be schooled in their fiduciary duties to the citizens of El Campo. I don't think that's been done. I don't think it's fair to the city manager. The mayor is not the mayor unless he is heading up the council meeting. And I'm not picking on the mayor. I like Phillip (Spenrath) very well."

A perceived alliance with the Citizens for A Responsible El Campo probably hurt him at the polls, Roppolo said, adding his concerns were "what the real citizens of El Campo wanted. I thought they weren't being heard."

Roppolo urged Council to address the City Charter quickly to eliminate outdated items and review ordinances and committees to see where rules could be streamlined. "I'm speaking to the efficiency of operations. It needs to be reviewed."

As the fifth place finisher, Ryan said, "I don't have any regrets. I'll always speak my opinion, but I don't know if I'd run again. This was an opportunity for a change and the people decided they wanted to stay exactly were they're at."

Sixth place finisher Dornak said, "I think there needs to be a change in the overall philosophy. That didn't happen this time, but I really believe it needs to happen."

He thanked supporters saying, "My beliefs are the same. The citizens own this city," adding he felt their voice should be heard.

Dornak urged Council to consider core items like water, sewer, streets and emergency services first and avoid spending hundreds of thousands on non-core items like the Aquatic Center and Civic Center.

"I will continue to live in this city and hope for the best for the city of El Campo, but am very concerned about the city," Dornak said.

Ryan warned residents to be vigilant, however, saying he expects a rise in municipal taxes.

"Taxes will go up, but they're saying annexation won't cost a penny," he said.

The political group Citizens for a Responsible El Campo, which backed Ryan, Dornak and Roppolo, will likely continue, Ryan added, for "as long as people want to keep a watchful eye."

Spenrath called for unity.

"The incredible voter turnout is a clear mandate that the actions and decisions this City Council has taken are clearly aligned with the goals and ideals of the majority of our citizens," he said.

"It is time to drop all litigation and start working together for the future growth and prosperity of our great city."