Robert Chacon
Voters didn't exactly rush to the polls Tuesday for the City Council
election.
"It has been really slow," said Lou Curry, a volunteer working the
polling station at the La Canada Flintridge Public Library. "We've
only had 115 people show up. I think most of the people must have
voted absentee."
The day before the election, 1,700 absentee ballots were returned,
with more expected to arrive Tuesday.
"There are no standout candidates, but I am happy with the City
Council now," said Valerie Dunton, who cast an absentee ballot two
weeks ago.
A little more than 13,000 people are registered to vote in the
city, which has a population of 21,000. The election has generated
less interest than in past elections, primarily because the city is
lacking any controversial issues, officials have said.
"Four years ago, it was pretty ugly," said Lisa Witt, who cast her
vote at the Roger Barkley Community Center Tuesday. "There was a lot
of mudslinging, and controversy always attracts voters."
Fewer people turn out to vote when they are happy with the status
quo, said Karen Matheson, who cast her absentee ballot and was
shopping for arts and crafts in a store along Foothill Boulevard.
Incumbents Dave Spence and Stephen Del Guercio campaigned on the
idea that the current council should not be broken up because of the
harmony among members. Challenger Robert Burlison countered that it
is not a council's priority to be harmonious, but to ask tough
questions about issues it faces.
"I voted for change," said Robert Ryan, who cast his vote at the
community center. "I'm not sure the current council is really in tune
with residents of the city."
* ROBERT CHACON may be reached at (818) 637-3239 or by e-mail at
robert.chacon @latimes.com.
