Glendora Voters Go With Age and Experience in City Council Race
Nelson, Tessitor and Santoro say years of community involvement were keys to their success.
In a seven-person candidate race, Glendora voters went with the three oldest candidates Tuesday evening, electing Judy Nelson, Doug Tessitor and Joe Santoro as Glendora’s newest members to city council, according to unofficial results.
The elected council members, all in their 60s, took decisive victories over John Fields, 53, Jason Nagy, 37, Erica Landmann-Johnsey, 37, and Cynthia Carrasco, 32.
The three new members will join council members Karen Davis and Gene Murabito on the council. Mayor Ken Herman and Councilman Terry Kent decided not to seek re-election.
Nelson, Tessitor and Santoro each earned over 2,000 of the more than 14,000 votes counted Tuesday evening. Fields garnered 1,853, Nagy tallied 1,911, Landman-Johnsey earned 1,845 and Carrasco took 1,050 of the votes.
Nelson, 65, captured the most votes of the evening with 2,974. Nelson, owner of Mrs. Nelson’s Book Shop in La Verne, said the amount of overwhelming voter support came as a surprise.
“I was prepared for anything, I thought anything could happen,” said Nelson Tuesday evening following the results. She credits the 25 years of community support for her bookstore as the key to her campaign’s success.
“I think people knew going in that I truly wanted to help this community,” said Nelson. “I had no political agenda. I wasn’t this young person aspiring to a career in politics. I’m retired and I want to give back to the community. People knew that my whole goal was a financially secure city, a prosperous city and not for it to become challenged as other cities are.”
Council member elect and the lone incumbent in the race Doug Tessitor said he was not surprised with the results at all.
“This turned out exactly the way I hoped it would,” Tessitor, 66, said following the announcement of the results. “I’m ecstatic to work with a wonderful, mature and experienced group of people on this council.”
Tessitor said he believed years of experience and community service is what contributed to the success of the three elected candidates.
“Judy and Joe have a quiet depth of support through the community,” said Tessitor. “It was that kind of community involvement that so many of the candidates who weren’t successful didn’t have.
Santoro, 67, chose to watch the results at home with his family. Santoro grabbed the third open seat, despite being one of the targets in a last-minute campaign flier regarding an investigation of Rio Hondo College's Police Academy, where Santoro was the dean.
“I know we put on a good, clean campaign and I was proud of that,” Santoro said after the results came in. “I’m ready for the new experience and working with the council. We have some very serious issues to discuss and I’m really looking forward to everyone’s input.”
John C. Fields
9:13 am on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Well Gang.... It's the morning after..... and unfortunately, our campaign didn't win (this time).... My biggest concern is Glendora.... and I believe it will be in good hands with those who were elected. I can say, without reservation, that all those elected yesterday have the skills to face Glendora's challenges... and make no mistake, there will be many. HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to Judy, Doug and Joe... and best wishes to Jason, Erica and Cynthia. I sincerely believe all seven of us, those elected and those not, will be working together for a better Glendora. One more big THANK YOU to everyone who was in my camp... Now I've got to remove some signs... :) God Bless you and please stay in touch. John
Judy Nelson
10:28 am on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
It's an honor to be an elected member of the Glendora City Council. Thank you to all of the voters for placing your confidence in me. Thank you to all of the supporters who helped me run a successful campaign. And, thank you to all of the candidates for conducting a respectful race focused on doing the best for Glendora. I look forward to serving on the Council with Doug, Joe, Karen and Gene and to also working with Cynthia, John, Jason and Erica who have much to contribute to our city. We are united in our committment to doing all that we can to keep Glendora financially secure and prosperous now and into the future.
Jason Nagy
4:27 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Age is a very interesting thing. We are all on this life journey. Some are further along the way than others. Those who are further ahead on the journey can look back and offer wisdom and council. Those who are looking ahead can improve on the path that was forged by those who came before, and remind those who have gone ahead of things forgotten. It is my hope that we no longer speak of age but can learn from each other along lifes journey.
zzyxx
5:20 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
no the north end of glendora voted in their own and its as simple as that.
Joe Santoro
7:26 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Just short notes to let the people of Glendora know how much I appreciate their vote of support. I also want to congratulate Doug and Judy on their successful campaigns. I look forward to working collegially with them and Council Members Murabito and Davis on the various issues we will be facing in the future.
To my fellow council candidates "thank you" for a campaign that was based on the issues and also the best interest of the community. Even when we disagreed you were always professional and focused on solutions instead of obstacles and personalities.
I am very grateful to my campaign team for their hard work and the can do attitude they demonstrated along the way. Thank you for a job well done.
Finally, for those of you who voted for me , I promise that you will never regret your vote. I will always be fair, do my homework and pay attention to the details on issues that will come before the council. I will carefully listen to the people and staff and always make my decisions that are based on fact and what is best for our community – always!
Joe Santoro