This week's headlines

The four newly elected city council members may face a challenging task from the get-go — replacing city manager Joe Kerby, if he decides to accept a position as county manager in La Plata County. (See story on page A1.)

Robert Jurca was re-elected to the council by a narrow margin, defeating Gerald Roberts by just 22 votes. Jurca will fill the at-large seat on the council.

Ray Penick garnered nearly 74 percent of the votes in a contest against Frank Tranchina. Both were running in Councilmember District A.

After the election, Tranchina thanked his supporters. "My sorrow is for the city and the plans that I had to make the city better and prettier, one that people would love to come to and stay. I am not saddened at the outcome, but I see a deja vu in the form of the city council."

Incumbents Mary Cooper and Bill Raley were unopposed. Raley got 1,056 votes; Cooper 990.

The county clerk's office reports a total of 1,333 of the city's registered voters — or less than a third of eligible voters — cast ballots in the April 3 municipal election.

Ed Sisson was the only councilmember to sit out the mail-in election.

A measure modifying the city charter, considered by many to be a simple housekeeping issue, was defeated by 17 votes.

Voters were asked to clarify a measure dealing with the city council's contractual powers, to provide more flexibility for the city in entering into long-term contracts.

Delta voter Bill Babbel said he voted against the measure because he found the ballot wording confusing. "In my opinion, most people who did not understand the description of the measure voted no," he said. That's human nature — if you don't understand something the government is attempting to change, vote no.

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