Thomaides takes Place 6

Nov 4 2009 - 1:16am | Chase Birthisel

Incumbent John Thomaides won City Council Place 6 with 1,228 votes — 63.36 percent of the total.

Thomaides ran against Monica Garcia, who received 560 votes accounting for 28.9 percent, and Anita Fuller, who received 150 votes with 7.74 percent.

“I think it proves we have a broad base of support, and the citizens believe in the ideas put forward in the campaign,” Thomaides said. “We didn’t leave any stone unturned. I’m so proud of the effort of the team.”

Thomaides said his campaign was successful because of his past experience.

“You have to have ideas and prove to the citizens you can back those ideas,” he said.

Thomaides held his watch party at Palmer’s Restaurant and Bar, where citizens came to show their support.

“He has been a strong, independent voice in the council,” said Dianne Wassenich, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. “He makes sure to question everything so it doesn’t just get the rubber stamp.”

City Councilmember Gaylord Bose, Place 2, arrived to show his support for Thomaides.

“He probably understands the commuter rail better than anyone I know,” Bose said. “He was also one of the leading people to get money to do the Wonder World Drive extension.”

Thomaides said in a previous interview he plans to continue working on issues such as traffic, economic development, bicycle paths and transparency.

Thomaides was the only incumbent the race and has served on City Council since 2003. Thomaides is the owner of a local water treatment equipment company and serves on the Executive Committee of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council.

Garcia said the race was a positive experience.

“I worked as much as I could because this is my first time,” Garcia said. “I met a lot of great people and made some really great friends.”
Garcia held her watch party at Tres Hermanas, where supporters gathered to receive election results.

Lvenia Mercano, who helped with the campaign, spoke at Garcia’s watch party as the crowd was shown the final results.

“It’s all good,” Mercano said.  “We’ll get them next year.”

Garcia said she is unsure about running in the future.

“I am not going to rule anything out at this point, but I don’t know if I can say one way or the other,” Garcia said.  “I am not discouraged by (the lost).”

Out of 28,883 registered voters, 2,049 showed at the polls — about 7 percent.

Anita Fuller did not answer calls for comment election night.

— Reporting contributed by Beth Brown and Hollie O’Connor

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